Bill > HB2607

This bill aims to increase child care subsidy rates to cover the full cost of high-quality care, with a goal of reaching the 85th percentile of market rates by July 1, 2026, after bargaining with family child care providers. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) will develop a cost model to recommend subsidy rates, considering factors like cost of living in different areas (rural, suburban, urban) and adjusting for regional economic differences. Importantly, the bill mandates that DCYF review and update these "child care rate regions" by August 1, 2026, and every four years thereafter, ensuring that no provider receives a lower subsidy rate solely due to these regional adjustments. The bill also encourages more localized regional designations than just county-level and supports the bargaining rights of family child care providers.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2607&Year=2025&Initiative=false