The bill aims to enhance access to affordable, high-quality child care for working families in Washington State by amending existing laws and introducing new provisions. It establishes eligibility criteria for the Working Connections Child Care program, allowing families with an annual income at or below 60% of the state median income to qualify. Notably, the bill removes previous provisions that allowed families with incomes above 60% and up to 75% or 85% of the state median income to be eligible for the program, thereby tightening the income eligibility requirements. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department must adopt rules to implement an income phase-out eligibility period and prohibits considering the citizenship status of an applicant's child when determining eligibility.

Furthermore, the bill outlines a systematic increase in child care subsidy rates, aiming to reach the 85th percentile of market rates by July 1, 2026, and the 75th percentile by July 1, 2027. It introduces new rules for child care provider subsidy payments, allowing providers to claim daily payments based on the number of days a child attends care. The bill also repeals a previous section related to prospective payments and establishes that licensed or certified child care providers must receive a uniform subsidy base rate according to their region. The act is set to take effect immediately, with certain provisions expiring on July 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 43.216.802, 43.216.828, 43.216.827
Substitute bill: 43.216.802, 43.216.808, 43.216.827
Bill as passed Legislature: 43.216.802, 43.216.808, 43.216.827
Session law: 43.216.802, 43.216.808, 43.216.827