All Roll Calls
Yes: 239 • No: 51
WashingtonSB 57522025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Modifying child care and early childhood development programs.
Sponsored By: Claire Wilson (Democratic)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
More WCCC help and year-long coverage
Households at or below 60% of the state median income qualify for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) now. Beginning July 1, 2029, families up to 75% qualify; beginning July 1, 2031, families up to 85% qualify if funds are provided. If your assistance unit gets Basic Food, the department treats income as meeting eligibility, and it does not consider a child’s citizenship. WCCC authorizations last 12 months, and families who meet the McKinney‑Vento homeless definition get a 12‑month grace period. Full‑time community, technical, or tribal college students in vocational or associate programs do not have to meet work rules, and taking birth‑to‑three ECEAP or Early Head Start counts as an approved activity. New eligibility and copay rules apply to new applications and reapplications; people approved before July 1, 2025 keep prior rules until they reapply, and copay changes do not apply to those approved as of October 1, 2026 until reapplication (transition ends December 31, 2027).
Birth-to-three early learning, pilot then program
DCYF runs a birth‑to‑three pilot for children under 36 months, with income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level or in a Basic Food unit. The pilot runs through July 1, 2026 and uses licensed Early Achievers providers as space and funding allow. Beginning July 1, 2026, the state starts a permanent birth‑to‑three program. It serves children under 36 months in households at or below 50% of the state median income or in a Basic Food unit, through qualified providers as space and funding allow.
Grants for dual-language and trauma care
DCYF creates a dual‑language provider designation and can give higher subsidy rates or site grants to eligible providers. Money can fund bilingual staff pay, training, curricula, and materials. DCYF can also fund trauma‑informed care supports, including extra pay for credentialed staff, training, screening tools, and local supportive services. These supports depend on state funding and do not change family child care collective bargaining rights.
New WCCC copay caps and formula
Until October 1, 2026, WCCC copays are capped at $215 a month for families over 60% and at or below 75% of state median income. For families over 75% and at or below 85%, copays are capped at 7% of countable income until that date. Starting October 1, 2026, the department sets copays by a percent‑of‑state‑median formula and may adjust it to meet federal law. Some parts rely on funding, and some statutory categories are exempt.
Who gets state preschool and when
Beginning August 1, 2030, an ECEAP “eligible child” includes families at or below 50% of state median income, children who are homeless, eligible for special education, or who were in specified early learning programs. Indian children qualify up to 100% of state median income, and the department can allow up to 10% of slots for other criteria. From July 1, 2025 to August 1, 2030, the department may fill up to 25% of slots, as space allows, with at‑risk children from families over 36% and at or below 50% of state median income. The law removes prior special ECEAP routes for registered apprentices and child care employees starting July 1, 2025. Full statewide early learning entitlement is delayed to the 2030–31 school year; funding phases in until then.
Early childhood mental health support network
DCYF funds infant and early childhood mental health consultation for Early Achievers providers starting July 1, 2025. The system has one coordinator and at least 12 consultants, plus supervision and training that meet national standards. As capacity allows, services extend to caregivers, military or tribal and license‑exempt providers, and families whose children were expelled or are at risk.
Pilot expands school-age child care access
DCYF runs a school‑age‑only child care pilot in one city west of the Cascades with 215,000–250,000 people. The park district can provide up to $300,000. The pilot uses at least three school buildings, streamlines WCCC access, pays providers directly under federal rules, and reports results by July 1, 2028. The pilot ends July 1, 2029.
Faster subsidy payments, with attendance check
DCYF pays child care providers prospectively when care is expected to begin. A provider cannot claim a prospective payment if the child did not attend at least one day in the prior month of the authorization period. These rules apply starting July 1, 2025.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Claire Wilson
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
June Robinson
Democratic • Senate
Manka Dhingra
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/24/2025
Final Passage as Amended by the House
Yes: 34 • No: 14
House vote • 4/23/2025
Final Passage as Amended by the House
Yes: 87 • No: 10 • Other: 1
House vote • 4/23/2025
Final Passage as Amended by the House on Reconsideration
Yes: 86 • No: 11 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 3/12/2025
3rd Reading & Final Passage
Yes: 32 • No: 16 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Effective date 7/1/2025*.
5/20/2025SenateChapter 412, 2025 Laws.
5/20/2025SenateGovernor signed.
5/20/2025legislatureDelivered to Governor.
4/27/2025legislatureSpeaker signed.
4/26/2025legislaturePresident signed.
4/25/2025legislaturePassed final passage; yeas, 34; nays, 14; absent, 0; excused, 0.
4/24/2025SenateSenate concurred in House amendments.
4/24/2025HouseThird reading, passed; yeas, 86; nays, 11; absent, 0; excused, 1.
4/23/2025SenateVote on third reading will be reconsidered.
4/23/2025SenateThird reading, passed; yeas, 87; nays, 10; absent, 0; excused, 1.
4/23/2025SenateRules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
4/23/2025SenateFloor amendment(s) adopted.
4/23/2025SenateCommittee amendment not adopted.
4/23/2025SenateRules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
4/22/2025SenateReferred to Rules 2 Review.
4/8/2025SenateAPP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) but without amendment(s) by Early Learning & Human Services.
4/8/2025SenateAPP - Executive action taken by committee.
4/8/2025SenateReferred to Appropriations.
4/1/2025SenateELHS - Executive action taken by committee.
3/28/2025SenateMinority; without recommendation.
3/28/2025SenateMinority; do not pass.
3/28/2025SenateELHS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
3/28/2025SenateFirst reading, referred to Early Learning & Human Services.
3/14/2025SenateThird reading, passed; yeas, 32; nays, 16; absent, 0; excused, 1.
3/12/2025Senate
Bill Text
Session Law
5/23/2025
Bill as Passed Legislature
4/27/2025
Engrossed Substitute
3/12/2025
Substitute Bill
2/28/2025
Original Bill
2/14/2025
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HB 2689 — Concerning the working connections child care program.
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