The proposed bill establishes a pilot program in Washington state aimed at providing a universal child benefit to families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Under this program, 1,000 selected families will receive monthly payments of $300 per child for 24 months, starting January 1, 2027, while a control group of up to 1,200 households will receive a smaller benefit of $20 per month. The Department of Commerce will oversee the program, ensuring an accessible application process and collecting data to evaluate its effectiveness. The bill also includes protections for participants' eligibility for other public assistance programs, ensuring that cash assistance from the pilot program is not considered when determining eligibility for various forms of aid.

Additionally, the bill introduces amendments to existing laws regarding eligibility for working connections child care and the treatment of income sources in public assistance determinations. Starting July 1, 2031, families with an annual income above 75% of the state median income will be eligible for child care benefits under specific conditions. The bill specifies that cash assistance from the pilot program and guaranteed basic income programs will not affect eligibility for working connections child care. It also outlines new guidelines for hospitals regarding charity care eligibility, mandating that hospitals provide charity care to patients with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and ensuring that funds from the pilot program are not considered when assessing eligibility for charity care. Overall, the bill aims to enhance access to child care and healthcare services for families while protecting their eligibility for various assistance programs.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 74.04.005, 43.216.802, 26.19.071, 70.170.060