5237-S2.E AMH SENN BROD 132

E2SSB 5237 - H AMD TO CYF COMM AMD (H-1378.1/21) 652

By Representative Senn

ADOPTED 04/08/2021

On page 3, line 24 of the striking amendment, after "(9)" insert "The legislature recognizes that the federal government has provided substantial additional funding through the coronavirus response and relief supplemental appropriations act, P.L. 116-260, division M., and the American rescue plan act of 2021. The purpose of the additional federal funding is to ensure access to affordable child care and stabilize and support child care providers affected by COVID-19. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to use the additional federal funding to supplement state funding in order to accelerate these investments.

(10)"

Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

On page 14, beginning on line 22 of the striking amendment, after "Beginning" strike all material through "younger" on line 27 and insert "October 1, 2021, a family is eligible for working connections child care when the household's annual income is at or below 60 percent of the state median income adjusted for family size and:

(a) The child receiving care is: (i) Less than 13 years of age; or (ii) less than 19 years of age"

On page 14, beginning on line 31 of the striking amendment, after "2025," strike all material through "younger" on line 37 and insert "a family is eligible for working connections child care when the household's annual income is above 60 percent and at or below 75 percent of the state median income adjusted for family size and:

(a) The child receiving care is (i) Less than 13 years of age; or (ii) less than 19 years of age"

On page 15, line 3 of the striking amendment, after "(4)" insert "Beginning July 1, 2027, and subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, a family is eligible for working connections child care when the household's annual income is above 75 percent of the state median income and is at or below 100 percent of the state median income adjusted for family size and:

(a) The child receiving care is: (i) Less than 13 years of age; or (ii) less than 19 years of age and has a verified special need according to department rule or is under court supervision; and

(b) The household meets all other program eligibility requirements.

(5)"

Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

On page 15, line 6 of the striking amendment, after "July 1," strike "2021" and insert "2023"

On page 15, line 8 of the striking amendment, after "July 1," strike "2021" and insert "2023"

On page 16, line 25 of the striking amendment, after "2020))" strike "July 1" and insert "August 1"

On page 21, line 19 of the striking amendment, after "available" insert "and subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose"

On page 38, line 4 of the striking amendment, after "((twelve))" strike "13" and insert "12"

On page 51, after line 39 of the striking amendment, insert the following:

"Sec. 508. RCW 43.216.136 and 2020 c 279 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department shall establish and implement policies in the working connections child care program to promote stability and quality of care for children from low-income households. These policies shall focus on supporting school readiness for young learners. Policies for the expenditure of funds constituting the working connections child care program must be consistent with the outcome measures established by the department and the standards established in this section intended to promote stability, quality, and continuity of early care and education programming.

(2) As recommended by P.L. 113-186, authorizations for the working connections child care subsidy are effective for twelve months beginning July 1, 2016((, unless an earlier date is provided in the omnibus appropriations act)).

(a) A household's 12-month authorization must begin on the date that child care is expected to begin.

(b) If a newly eligible household does not begin care within 12 months of being determined eligible by the department, the household must reapply in order to qualify for subsidy.

(3)(a) The department shall establish and implement policies in the working connections child care program to allow eligibility for families with children who:

(i) In the last six months have:

(A) Received child protective services as defined and used by chapters 26.44 and 74.13 RCW;

(B) Received child welfare services as defined and used by chapter 74.13 RCW; or

(C) Received services through a family assessment response as defined and used by chapter 26.44 RCW;

(ii) Have been referred for child care as part of the family's case management as defined by RCW 74.13.020; and

(iii) Are residing with a biological parent or guardian.

(b) ((Children)) Families who are eligible for working connections child care pursuant to this subsection do not have to keep receiving services identified in this subsection to maintain twelve-month authorization.

(4)(a) Beginning August 1, 2020, the department may not require an applicant or consumer to meet work requirements as a condition of receiving working connections child care benefits when the applicant or consumer is:

(i) A single parent;

(ii) A full-time student of a community, technical, or tribal college; and

(iii) Pursuing vocational education that leads to a degree or certificate in a specific occupation, not to result in a bachelor's or advanced degree.

(b) An applicant or consumer is a full-time student for the purposes of this subsection if he or she meets the college's definition of a full-time student. The student must maintain passing grades and be in good standing pursuant to college attendance requirements.

(c) Nothing in this subsection is intended to change how applicants or consumers are prioritized when applicants or consumers are placed on a waitlist for working connections child care benefits.

(5)(a) The department must extend the homeless grace period, as adopted in department rule as of January 1, 2020, from a four-month grace period to a twelve-month grace period.

(b) For the purposes of this section, "homeless" means being without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence as described in the federal McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 11434a) as it existed on January 1, 2020.

(6) For purposes of this section, "authorization" means a transaction created by the department that allows a child care provider to claim payment for care. The department may adjust an authorization based on a household's eligibility status."

On page 52, after line 21 of the striking amendment, insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 605. Section 202 of this act takes effect August 1, 2021.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 606. Section 508 of this act expires August 1, 2021."

Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

On page 52, line 27 of the striking amendment, after "Sections" strike "201, 202,"

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