Beginning on page 1, line 18, strike all of section 2 and insert the following:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  "A new section is added to chapter 43.215 RCW to read as follows:

For children ages sixty months through six years, the child's school enrollment status may not be used as a reason to require the child be placed within a specific mixed-age group. Nothing in this section changes or requires the department to change the staff-to-child ratio requirements for mixed-age groups that include children who are ages thirty months through six years."

EFFECT: Removes language that licensed child care centers may serve children enrolled in kindergarten in a mixed group or classroom, excluding classrooms which serve infants not walking independently and the requirement that the Department of Early Learning (DEL) adopt rules by November 1, 2016.

Adds language that school enrollment status may not be used as a reason to require the child be placed within a specific mixed-age group for five and six-year-old children.

Specifies that nothing changes or requires DEL to change the staff-to-child ratio requirements for mixed-age groups that include children ages 30 months through six years.