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District of ColumbiaB26-0176Council Period 26 (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Early Childhood Educator Pay Scales Amendment Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Phil Mendelson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Teacher pay floors drop in 2026

Child development facilities with an agreement to receive Pay Equity Fund money must meet teacher salary floors. From January 1–December 31, 2025, assistant-teacher floors are $51,006 for a Child Development Associate credential and $54,262 for an associate degree or higher, or 60 college-level hours in any field. Lead-teacher floors range from $51,006 to $75,103, depending on credentials, during that period. From January 1–September 30, 2026, the corresponding assistant-teacher floors fall to $48,736 and $51,576; lead-teacher floors range from $48,736 to $71,010. The Department can revise these floors through District rulemaking, but changes must fit available appropriations.

Educator lump-sum payments protect benefit eligibility

The District excludes individual Pay Equity Fund lump-sum payments from income and assets when reviewing covered benefits. This applies both to deciding eligibility and calculating benefit amounts, unless federal law prohibits the exclusion. Covered programs include District public assistance, D.C. HealthCare Alliance, locally funded scholarships, housing, caregiver programs, and other locally funded benefits. The protection applies to lump-sum Fund payments, not all educator wages.

Dedicated funding for early childhood teachers

The District maintains a dedicated Pay Equity Fund to support early childhood educator pay and program participants. Required deposits are $53.920878 million for fiscal 2022, $72.889092 million for 2023, and $69.508332 million for 2024. Deposits are $70 million for fiscal 2025 and $72.126902 million for 2026. Administrative costs cannot exceed 5% of annual deposits. Unspent money stays in the Fund across fiscal years rather than returning to the District’s General Fund.

Health premium help for early childhood educators

The Pay Equity Fund can help reduce health insurance premiums paid by child development facilities or eligible employees. Employees must qualify for the law’s minimum teacher salaries. Assistance depends on available appropriations and an agreement with the District of Columbia Health Benefit Exchange. The law sets no savings amount or start date for this help.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Phil Mendelson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 11/4/2025

Other

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 11/4/2025

Final Reading

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 10/21/2025

First Reading

Yes: 10 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Law L26-0100, Effective from Mar 18, 2026 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 005879

    4/10/2026House

  2. Transmitted to Congress

    2/3/2026House

  3. Act A26-0204 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 013494

    12/5/2025House

  4. Returned from Mayor

    11/25/2025House

  5. Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0204

    11/24/2025House

  6. Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Dec 02, 2025

    11/17/2025House

  7. Legislative Meeting

    11/4/2025House

  8. Legislative Meeting

    10/21/2025House

  9. Committee Mark-up of B26-0176 by the Committee of the Whole

    10/21/2025House

  10. Legislative Meeting

    10/7/2025House

  11. Public Hearing on B26-0176 View Public Hearing Record

    6/4/2025House

  12. Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register

    5/16/2025House

  13. Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary by Committee of the Whole

    5/13/2025House

  14. Referred to Committee of the Whole

    4/1/2025House

  15. Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0176 Published in the District of Columbia Register

    3/28/2025House

  16. B26-0176 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary

    3/21/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment

    11/4/2025

    PDF

  • Enrollment

    11/4/2025

    PDF

  • Engrossment

    10/21/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    3/21/2025

    PDF

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