Various state laws and rules govern employment standards for workers, including minimum wages, overtime, sick leave, meal and rest breaks, and workplace safety and health.  The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) administers most employment standards.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) regulates child care licensing and adopts core competencies for child care providers that describe the standards of knowledge and skills required to provide quality care and education to children and their families.

The Washington State Child Care Workforce Standards Board (Board) is established to recommend improvements to employment standards for child care workers.

The Board consists of 10 members appointed by the Governor, representing child care workers, child care employers, parents, L&I, and the DCYF, subject to certain requirements and limitations.  The Governor must make initial appointments by September 1, 2026.  L&I must provide administrative support to the Board and may employ staff to carry out its duties.  L&I and the DCYF must enter into a formal data sharing agreement for implementation purposes. 

In developing recommendations, the Board must prioritize child care worker staffing, recruitment, retention, and staffing ratios.  The Board must consider wage rate data, collective bargaining agreements, and local employment standards.  The Board may investigate certain factors such as the adequacy of wage rates and other compensation policies to ensure the provision of quality services, the costs to workers for background checks and training, the impact of systemic racism and economic injustice on workers, and the adequacy of state payment practices and policies.

The Board must prepare a series of reports with findings and recommendations, and must make the reports publicly available on L&I's website.