2024 legislative review
This bill requires the Department of Children , Youth and Families to count children who have received Early Support for Infants and Toddlers ( ESIT ) services within the same month as the monthly count day , allowing service providers to be reimbursed for a child ’ s first month of enrollment . It also stipulates that the monthly count day is the last business day of the month . The ESIT program provides services for children under the age of 3 who have disabilities or developmental delays . Both chambers passed the final bill unanimously .
HB 2111 working connections child care program updates
Passed / AWB Supported sponsor : Rep . Greg Nance , D-Bainbridge Island
This bill reorganizes and updates statutes related to the Working Connections Child Care program . Specifically , it clarifies requirements for subsidized child care , removes outdated references , reorganizes eligibility information , and changes a reference from “ immigration ” status to “ citizenship ” status . Both chambers passed the bill unanimously .
SSB 5774 timely fingerprint-based background checks
Passed / AWB Supported sponsor : Sen . Andy Billig , D-Spokane
This bill requires the Department of Children , Youth and Families to perform fingerprint-based background checks for prospective child care employees at its local early learning and child welfare offices . This makes it more convenient for applicants to complete their background checks in a timely manner , thereby helping them get to work sooner and providing more child care options for families . It also brings Washington into compliance with federal requirements . The bill passed the Senate and was amended in the House . Both chambers passed the final bill unanimously .
HB 2243 children ’ s social equity land trust
Failed / AWB Supported sponsor : Rep . Kristine Reeves , D-Federal Way
This bill would have established the children ’ s social equity land trust by authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to purchase and manage working forests at risk of being developed to provide permanent funding for child care . The bill passed the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and was referred to the Capital Budget Committee but did not advance .
HB 1716 child care b & o tax credit
Failed / AWB Supported sponsor : Rep . Alicia Rule , D-Blaine
This bill would have created a business and occupation tax credit for employers that voluntarily provide child care assistance to employees . This would have allowed employers to help offset their employees ’ child care expenses , including tuition . The bill received a hearing in the House Committee on Finance but did not advance .
Rep . Tana Senn , D-Mercer Island , spoke at the AWB Institute ’ s LEAP child care legislator education event at the Capitol in January . Senn chairs the House Human Services , Youth , & Early Learning Committee and also serves on the Appropriations as well as the Innovation , Community & Economic Development & Veterans committees .
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