5752-S AMS ROBI S2313.1
SSB 5752 - S AMD TO S AMD (S-2271.1/25) 224
By Senator Robinson
ADOPTED 03/12/2025
On page 12, after line 14, insert the following:
"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 13. A new section is added to chapter 43.216 RCW under the subchapter heading "subsidized child care" to read as follows:
(1) The department shall adopt a rule that requires prospective payment to child care providers who accept child care subsidies to occur when child care is expected to begin.
(2) The department shall adopt a rule that prohibits child care providers who accept child care subsidies from claiming a prospective payment when a child has not attended at least one day within the authorization period in the previous month.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 14. A new section is added to chapter 43.216 RCW under the subchapter heading "subsidized child care" to read as follows:
By June 1st of every even-numbered year, the department shall publish a cost of quality child care and market rate study and submit the study to the relevant committees of the legislature in compliance with RCW 43.01.036.
Sec. 15. RCW 43.216.800 and 2024 c 67 s 1 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 12 months.
(((a) A household's 12-month authorization begins 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 must extend the homeless grace period, as adopted in department rule as of January 1, 2020, from a four-month grace period to a 12-month grace period.
(b) For the purposes of this subsection, "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.
(((4) 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.))"
Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
On page 13, line 15, after "43.216.592," strike "and 43.216.512" and insert "43.216.512, and 43.216.800"
On page 13, line 17, after "adding" strike "a new section" and insert "new sections"
EFFECT: (1) Directs the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to adopt a rule that requires prospective payment to child care providers who accept child care subsidies to occur when child care is expected to begin, and another rule that prohibits child care providers from claiming a prospective payment when a child has not attended at least one day within the authorization period in the previous month.
(2) Removes language providing that a household's 12-month authorization begins on the date that child care is expected to begin.
(3) Directs DCYF to publish a cost of quality child care and market rate study and submit the study to the relevant committees of the Legislature by June 1st of every even-numbered year.
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