Bill > SB5310

This bill addresses child care subsidy rates in Washington state, focusing on gradually increasing compensation for child care providers to more accurately reflect the true cost of providing high-quality care. Beginning July 1, 2025, the state will pay child care providers the lesser of either their standard market rate or the 75th percentile of market rates for subsidized care. The bill requires the state department to develop a comprehensive child care cost estimate model that considers factors like local cost of living, area median income, and geographic variations (rural, suburban, urban). The legislation also mandates that the state and the exclusive representative for family home providers negotiate the implementation of these subsidy rate increases. Additionally, the department is tasked with exploring options to support affordable health care coverage for licensed child care providers. The bill maintains the collective bargaining rights of family home providers and is declared an emergency measure, taking effect on July 1, 2025, to immediately support the child care workforce and improve access to quality child care services.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5310&Year=2025&Initiative=false