This bill aims to modify the Working Connections Child Care program in Washington State to enhance access to affordable, high-quality child care for working families. Key changes include amending eligibility criteria for families based on their annual income, which must be at or below 60 percent of the state median income. The bill removes previous provisions that allowed families with incomes above 60 percent and up to 75 percent of the state median income to qualify for child care benefits starting July 1, 2029, and those with incomes up to 85 percent starting July 1, 2031. Additionally, it mandates that the department must adopt rules to implement an income phase-out eligibility period and prohibits considering the citizenship status of a child when determining eligibility.

The bill also introduces new provisions for child care subsidy rates, requiring them to achieve the 85th percentile of the market by July 1, 2026, and the 75th percentile by July 1, 2027. It establishes that licensed or certified child care providers must receive consistent subsidy rates based on their region and mandates the department to use a child care cost methodology to recommend adequate subsidy rates. Furthermore, it repeals the existing RCW 43.216.827 regarding prospective payments and includes provisions for immediate implementation, except for certain sections that will take effect later.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 43.216.802, 43.216.828, 41.56.153, 43.216.827
Substitute bill: 43.216.802, 43.216.828, 43.216.827