The bill aims to enhance child care services by allowing existing buildings, particularly churches, to be utilized for child care centers. It recognizes the need for more child care options for working families and emphasizes the public benefit of repurposing existing structures instead of constructing new ones. To facilitate this, the bill clarifies regulations regarding occupancy loads for child care centers located within multi-use buildings, ensuring that building officials calculate occupancy based solely on the areas designated for child care services.

Specifically, the bill amends RCW 43.216.265 to include provisions that require the occupancy load of child care centers in existing buildings to be determined based only on the dedicated spaces used for child care. This change is intended to streamline the process for building owners, making it easier for them to offer their facilities for child care services. The legislation reflects a broader commitment to improving access to child care while maximizing the use of existing community resources.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.216.265
Substitute Bill: 43.216.265
Bill as Passed Legislature: 43.216.265
Session Law: 43.216.265