This bill mandates that cities and towns in Washington State must permit child care centers and the conversion of existing buildings for such use in all zones, with the exception of industrial zones, light industrial zones, and open space zones. It allows cities to impose reasonable restrictions on permits, such as designating pickup and drop-off areas. Cities that are required to update their comprehensive plans under the growth management act must incorporate these requirements into their regulations during their next update, while other cities must comply within two years of the bill's effective date. Additionally, the bill stipulates that cities can still allow child care centers in other zones and must provide conditional use approval for on-site child care centers in industrial or light industrial zones, barring high hazard facilities.

The bill also introduces similar provisions for code cities, ensuring they follow the same guidelines regarding the siting of child care centers. Code cities are required to allow child care centers in all zones except for the specified exceptions and can impose reasonable restrictions. They must also incorporate these requirements into their comprehensive plans during their next update or comply within two years. The definition of "child care centers" is consistent with existing law, ensuring clarity in its application across the new regulations.