S-4805.1

SENATE BILL 6297

BySenators Padden, Wellman, Wagoner, Wilson, C., Hawkins, Billig, and Zeiger

AN ACT Relating to recognizing the experience of existing early learning providers to meet educational requirements; and adding a new section to chapter 43.216 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 43.216 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department must provide persons working as early learning providers on the effective date of this section and who are required to have early childhood education initial certificates or short certificates, or both, the option to meet these requirements through an experience-based competency demonstration.

(2) An existing early learning provider is eligible for an experience-based competency demonstration if the provider:

(a) Has been employed by a licensed child care center or home, or both, for a total of seven years by August 1, 2024;

(b) Completed all training that was required during the seven years including in-service requirements and health and safety training; and

(c) Is currently employed at a licensed child care family home or center that is in good licensing standing and has no current enforcement action.

(3) The department must review applications for the experience-based competency demonstration and inform applicants of their results on a quarterly basis.

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