Bill > HB1033

This bill allows counties to adopt their own local licensing and regulation ordinances for child care centers and family home providers, starting no earlier than July 1, 2026. Counties must establish ordinances addressing key areas such as facility safety, operational plans, provider qualifications, staff-to-child ratios, child care standards, and record-keeping. When a county decides to take over licensing, they must notify the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) 60 days before implementing their ordinances, and the department will no longer regulate these providers. Counties must report quarterly to DCYF about their licensing activities, and the department will maintain a public list of counties with local licensing programs. The bill also requires DCYF to contract a third-party consultant to analyze the implementation and effectiveness of local licensing by October 1, 2030. Importantly, locally licensed providers can still participate in state programs like the working connections child care program and early achievers program, though they are not required to achieve a specific rating level. The bill effectively gives counties more flexibility in overseeing and regulating child care providers within their jurisdictions while maintaining state-level oversight and support.

Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1033&Year=2025&Initiative=false