Bill > SB5500

This bill amends existing law to clarify how the "cost of quality child care" is defined for a biennial survey conducted by the department, which is required to publish this information every even-numbered year. The bill introduces two specific definitions for this cost: one is a "cost of quality child care study as defined by the early educator design team," which uses a cost estimation model developed with input from this team and includes factors like staff salaries based on a living wage, benefits, family engagement, planning time, educational materials, and professional development; the other is a "current cost of quality child care study," which uses a similar cost estimation model but focuses on current market costs for the same factors. The "early educator design team" is a group consulted to help define these costs, and the "biennial survey" refers to a report published every two years.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5500&Year=2025&Initiative=false