The bill revises child care and early childhood development programs in Washington State, extending the implementation timeline for the early learning program from the 2026-27 school year to the 2030-31 school year. It introduces a new birth-to-three early childhood education and assistance program for children under 36 months, with eligibility determined by family income and participation in specific assistance programs. The legislation also outlines a phased funding and program delivery approach, emphasizing collaboration with school districts and community-based providers. Additionally, it modifies eligibility criteria for working connections child care benefits, allowing families with incomes up to 75% of the state median income to qualify by 2029, and up to 85% by 2031, while adjusting the copayment structure based on income levels.

The bill amends various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to enhance support for early childhood education and child care services. It allows the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to extend provisions to full-time students in bachelor's or applied baccalaureate degree programs and recognizes participation in early childhood education programs as an approved activity for working connections child care benefits. The legislation mandates trauma-informed care supports for eligible child care providers, establishes a dual language designation, and requires the department to adopt rules for these changes. Furthermore, it introduces provisions for prospective payments to child care providers accepting subsidies, mandates a biennial cost of quality child care study, and extends the homeless grace period for child care subsidy eligibility from four months to twelve months. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with certain sections having different effective dates.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.216.556, 43.216.505, 43.216.513, 43.216.600, 43.216.772, 43.216.806, 43.216.590, 43.216.090, 43.216.592, 43.216.587, 43.216.512
Substitute Bill: 43.216.556, 43.216.505, 43.216.513, 43.216.600, 43.216.772, 43.216.806, 43.216.590, 43.216.090, 43.216.592, 43.216.587, 43.216.512
Engrossed Substitute: 43.216.556, 43.216.505, 43.216.578, 43.216.806, 43.216.590, 43.216.090, 43.216.592, 43.216.512, 43.01.036
Bill as Passed Legislature: 43.216.556, 43.216.505, 43.216.578, 43.216.804, 43.216.806, 43.216.590, 43.216.090, 43.216.592, 43.216.512, 43.01.036
Session Law: 43.216.556, 43.216.505, 43.216.578, 43.216.804, 43.216.806, 43.216.590, 43.216.090, 43.216.592, 43.216.512, 43.01.036