WSR 26-10-100
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES
[Filed May 6, 2026, 11:05 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of children, youth, and families (DCYF) early learning division's working connections child care program is amending WAC 110-15-0200 Daily child care rates—Licensed or certified child care centers and DCYF contracted seasonal day camps, and 110-15-0225 Special needs rates—Licensed or certified child care centers and seasonal day camps; other related rules.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW
43.216.828, HB [SHB] 2689, and ESSB 5167.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: These amendments are to:
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| • | Implement HB [SHB] 2689 regarding the region realignment for center providers. Per HB [SHB] 2689, "Beginning July 1, 2026, licensed or certified child care providers may not receive a child care subsidy base rate that is different than the rate for the child care subsidy rate region in which the provider is located." |
| • | Modify WAC 110-15-0200 to align with the 2025 approved budget increasing licensed center provider rates to the 85th percentile of the current market effective July 1, 2026 (ESSB 5167, section 236(4)). |
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Not applicable.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Christin James, phone 360-688-0479, email christin.james@dcyf.wa.gov, website www.dcyf.wa.gov; or Amy Emerson, 1500 Jefferson Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, phone 360-972-5385, email amy.emerson@dcyf.w.gov [amy.emerson@dcyf.wa.gov], website www.dcyf.wa.gov.
May 6, 2026
Brenda Villarreal
Rules Coordinator