CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

[Filed July 1, 2025, 2:50 p.m., effective July 1, 2025]

Effective Date of Rule: July 1, 2025.

Purpose: The early learning division is modifying WAC language necessary to implement child care subsidy program changes related to ESSB 5752, related to repealing expanded eligibility for registered apprenticeships and child care employees, and removing enrollment in a state registered apprenticeship as being excluded from the work requirements as a condition of receiving working connections child care.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 110-15-0005 Eligibility, and 110-15-0075 Determining income eligibility and copayment amounts.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 43.216 RCW.

Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

Reasons for this Finding: These rule amendments are needed to comply with ESSB 5752.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: July 1, 2025.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-20-130, filed 10/1/24, effective 11/1/24)

WAC 110-15-0005Eligibility.

(1) Consumers at the time of application and reapplication must meet the following requirements to be eligible for WCCC:

(a) Have parental control of one or more eligible children;

(b) Live in Washington state;

(c) Participate in an approved activity or meet the eligibility special circumstances requirements under WAC 110-15-0020, 110-15-0023, or 110-15-0024;

(d) Not have assets that exceed $1,000,000;

(e) Have an agreed payment arrangement with any provider to whom any outstanding WCCC copayment is owed; and

(f) Have ((one of the following:

(i) Countable))countable income at or below:

(((A)))(i) Sixty percent of the SMI at initial application; or

(((B)))(ii) Sixty-five percent of the SMI at reapplication((;

(ii) A household annual income adjusted for family size that does not exceed 75 percent of the SMI within the first 12 months of a state-registered apprenticeship program; or

(iii) Have a household annual income adjusted for family size that does not exceed 85 percent of the SMI and confirmed or verified in the department's electronic workforce registry to be employed by:

(A) A licensed or certified child care provider;

(B) An early childhood education and assistance program;

(D) A head start program;

(E) An early head start program; or

(F) A successor federal program)).

(2) Parents currently attending high school or who are age 21 or younger and completing a high school equivalency certificate are eligible for WCCC if their income does not exceed 85 percent of the SMI at the time of application.

(3) Children must meet the following requirements to be eligible for WCCC:

(a) Reside in Washington state; and

(b) Be less than age:

(i) Thirteen on the first day of eligibility; or

(ii) Nineteen and:

(A) Have a verified special need, as outlined in WAC ((110-15-0020))110-15-0220; or

(B) Be under court supervision.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-20-130, filed 10/1/24, effective 11/1/24)

WAC 110-15-0075Determining income eligibility and copayment amounts.

(1) The department determines consumers' eligibility and copayments, when care is provided under a WCCC voucher or contract, by:

(a) Family size as described in WAC 110-15-0015; and

(b) Countable income as described in WAC 110-15-0065.

(2) The department calculates consumers' copayments as follows:

If the household's income is:	Then the household's maximum monthly copayment is:
At or below 20 percent of the SMI	Waived
Above 20 percent and at or below 36 percent of the SMI	$65
Above 36 percent and at or below 50 percent of the SMI	$90
Above 50 percent and at or below 60 percent of the SMI	$165
At reapplication, above 60 percent and at or below 65 percent of the SMI	$215
((An applicant between 60 percent and 75 percent of the SMI for families participating in a state-registered apprenticeship	$215))

(3) Active recipients of the supplemental nutrition assistance program are income eligible and the copayment will be determined using the income standards in subsection (2) of this section.

(4) The department does not prorate copayments when consumers use care for only part of a month.

(5) The department waives copayments for eligible consumers who meet one or more of the following:

(a) Age 21 years or younger who attend high school or are working towards completing a high school equivalency certificate; or

(b) ((Employed by, as confirmed or verified in the department's electronic workforce registry:

(i) A licensed or certified child care provider;

(ii) An early childhood education and assistance program;

(iii) A birth to three early childhood education and assistance program;

(iv) A head start program;

(v) An early head start program; or

(vi) A successor federal program;

(c))) Eligibility under:

(i) WAC 110-15-0023; or

(ii) WAC 110-15-0024.