Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
Sec. 1. "RCW
43.216.135 and 2018 c 52 s 6 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 Public Law 113-186, authorizations for the working connections child care subsidy shall be effective for twelve months beginning July 1, 2016, unless an earlier date is provided in the omnibus appropriations act.
(3) Existing child care providers serving nonschool-age children and receiving state subsidy payments must complete the following requirements to be eligible for a state subsidy under this section:
(a) Enroll in the early achievers program by August 1, 2016;
(b) Complete level 2 activities in the early achievers program by August 1, 2017; and
(c) Rate at a level 3 or higher in the early achievers program by December 31, 2019. If a child care provider rates below a level 3 by December 31, 2019, the provider must complete remedial activities with the department, and rate at a level 3 or higher no later than June 30, 2020.
(4) Effective July 1, 2016, a new child care provider serving nonschool-age children and receiving state subsidy payments must complete the following activities to be eligible to receive a state subsidy under this section:
(a) Enroll in the early achievers program within thirty days of receiving the initial state subsidy payment;
(b) Complete level 2 activities in the early achievers program within twelve months of enrollment; and
(c) Rate at a level 3 or higher in the early achievers program within thirty months of enrollment. If a child care provider rates below a level 3 within thirty months from enrollment into the early achievers program, the provider must complete remedial activities with the department, and rate at a level 3 or higher within six months of beginning remedial activities.
(5) If a child care provider does not rate at a level 3 or higher following the remedial period, the provider is no longer eligible to receive state subsidy under this section.
(6) If a child care provider serving nonschool-age children and receiving state subsidy payments has successfully completed all level 2 activities and is waiting to be rated by the deadline provided in this section, the provider may continue to receive a state subsidy pending the successful completion of the level 3 rating activity.
(7) The department shall implement tiered reimbursement for early achievers program participants in the working connections child care program rating at level 3, 4, or 5.
(8) The department shall account for a child care copayment collected by the provider from the family for each contracted slot and establish the copayment fee by rule.
(9)(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 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. The department of social and health services' involvement with the family referred for working connections child care ends when the family's child protective services, child welfare services, or family assessment response case is closed.
(10)(a) The department shall establish and implement policies in the working connections child care program to allow eligibility for homeless families with household incomes at or below eighty-five percent of the state median income. Families who are eligible for working connections child care under this subsection must be allowed a twelve-month grace period in which to provide verification of:
(i) Employment or participation in approved program activities; and
(ii) Payment or payment plan arrangements for any outstanding copayment.
(b) In order to qualify for the twelve-month grace period under this subsection, an eligible family may not have received a grace-period authorization under this subsection in the twelve calendar months prior to the month of application or reapplication.
(c) For the purposes of this subsection, "homeless" means without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence as set forth in the federal McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act, P.L. 100–77, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 482, and runaway and homeless youth act, P.L. 93–415, Title III, September 7, 1974, 88 Stat. 1129.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter
43.216 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The department shall establish and implement policies in the working connections child care program to allow eligibility for a parent who is under eighteen years of age and is attending high school or is working toward completing a general educational development certificate when the minor parent:
(a) Has an income at or below eighty-five percent of the state median income at the time of application. For the purpose of determining household income, the department must treat the minor parent as his or her own household; and
(b) Meets all other program eligibility requirements.
(2) When authorizing twelve months of care under this section, the department may not:
(a) Consider the availability of the other biological parent; or
(b) Require a copayment that is greater than the minimum copayment established by the department in rule.
(3) If necessary to implement this section, the department may designate children of minor parents as a vulnerable population in need of protective services under 45 C.F.R. Sec. 98.20 as it existed on March 1, 2019.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Section 2 of this act takes effect October 1, 2019."
(2) Allows Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) eligibility for homeless families with household incomes at or below 85% of the state median income.
(3) Requires the DCYF to allow homeless families a 12-month grace period in which to provide verification of employment or participation in approved program activities, or payment or payment plan arrangements for any outstanding copayment.
(4) Limits families receiving a homeless grace period authorization to those who have not received such an authorization in the 12 months prior to the month of application or reapplication.
(5) Requires, effective October 1, 2019, authorizations for WCCC for a minor parent meeting education requirements who has a household income at or below 85% of the state median income. The minor parent must be considered his or her own household for this purpose.
(6) Prohibits the DCYF from considering the availability of the other biological parent when authorizing care for minor parents or from requiring a copayment from a minor parent greater than the minimum copayment established in rule.
(7) Allows the DCYF to designate children of minor parents as a vulnerable population pursuant to federal CCDF rules if necessary.