The bill seeks to enhance child care and early childhood development programs in Washington State by amending existing laws and introducing new provisions. A significant change is the extension of the timeline for full implementation of the early learning program from the 2026-27 school year to the 2030-31 school year, allowing for voluntary enrollment of all eligible children. Additionally, it establishes a new early childhood education and assistance program for children under 36 months, with eligibility based on family income and participation in other assistance programs. The bill also revises income eligibility thresholds for the working connections child care program, allowing families with incomes up to 85% of the state median income to qualify by 2031, and introduces a phased copayment schedule based on household income.

Moreover, the bill includes several key insertions, such as affirming the rights of family child care providers to collectively bargain with the state and mandating the administration of infant and early childhood mental health consultation services to child care providers, contingent on available funds. It also establishes a dual language designation for child care providers, which will facilitate subsidy rate enhancements and grants for bilingual instruction. Other provisions include the requirement for prospective payments to child care providers accepting subsidies, a biennial publication of a cost of quality child care study, and an extension of the homeless grace period for child care subsidy eligibility from four months to twelve months. The bill aims to improve the quality and accessibility of child care services while ensuring adequate support for providers.

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