The bill establishes a pilot program aimed at incentivizing child care providers to care for the children of first responders in Washington State. It mandates the Department to award grants to local jurisdictions, which will then provide incentive payments to licensed or certified child care providers who cater to the needs of first responders, particularly during nonstandard work hours, on short notice, or when a child is ill. The program will be implemented in at least four local jurisdictions across different regions of the state, and these jurisdictions must demonstrate their ability to match state grants with nonstate resources. A report detailing the program's outcomes, including its impact on recruitment, retention, and job satisfaction among first responders, is required by November 1, 2029.

Additionally, the bill amends RCW 82.14.345 to include provisions for the use of tax revenues to support the new child care incentives for first responders. Specifically, it allows for the collection of a sales and use tax, which can be utilized for criminal justice purposes, including the incentive payments for child care providers caring for first responders' children. The bill outlines the requirements for cities and counties to impose this tax and mandates annual reporting on the expenditure of the collected funds.

Statutes affected:
Substitute bill: 82.14.345