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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)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Guaranteed minimum pay for early educators

Facilities that get Pay Equity Fund money under a Department contract must pay set minimum salaries. From Jan 1–Dec 31, 2025, examples include: CDA assistant $51,006 a year ($24.52/hour) and bachelor’s lead $75,103 ($36.11/hour). From Jan 1–Sept 30, 2026, examples include: CDA assistant $48,736 a year ($23.43/hour) and bachelor’s lead $71,010 ($34.14/hour). The Department can change the minimums by rule if funding allows, and must issue guidance to match pay tiers with credential rules.

Fund payments won't cut your benefits

If you get a lump-sum payment from the Pay Equity Fund, it does not count as income or assets for many D.C. programs, unless federal law says otherwise. This includes D.C. Public Assistance, the D.C. HealthCare Alliance or its successor, local scholarships, the Home Purchase Assistance Program, Rent Supplement Program vouchers, the Grandparent and Close Relative Caregiver Programs, and other local benefits such as Strong Families, Strong Futures. This helps you keep eligibility and benefit amounts after you get Fund payments.

Fund for educator pay and premiums

The law funds the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund with local deposits: FY2022 $53.9 million, FY2023 $72.9 million, FY2024 $69.5 million, FY2025 $70.0 million, and FY2026 $72.1 million. Money in the Fund does not revert at year-end and stays available as authorized in the budget. The Fund pays for minimum salaries and related program costs. It can also lower health insurance premiums for facilities or employees if the budget provides money and there is an agreement with the D.C. Health Benefit Exchange. Administrative costs charged to the Fund are capped at 5% of each year’s deposits.

Task Force to review pay scales

The law creates the Early Childhood Educator Equitable Compensation Task Force. Members include the Council Chair (who chairs), the State Superintendent, and 12 residents representing families, providers (including home-based), operators, at least two facility employees (one in the Pay Equity Program), and an economist. Starting in 2027, it meets at least every three years and whenever the Chair calls it. Within 60 days after the Department’s annual report, it must meet and send the Council a review with salary and funding recommendations. Vacancies are filled by the Chair, with the State Superintendent, to keep the required mix.

Cleans up old pay equity laws

The law repeals the 2021 Pay Equity Fund law and the 2021 Task Force law. It also repeals sections 4032 and 4033(b)(2) of the 2025 amendment act and an emergency provision 2(b)(1). It repeals section 11a(b) and paragraph (3) of section 11b(c) in the Day Care Policy Act. These repeals remove overlapping rules so the new pay scales, Fund rules, and Task Force in this law control.

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. Committee Report Filed by the Committee of the Whole

    1/15/2026House

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

    12/5/2025House

  5. Returned from Mayor

    11/25/2025House

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

    11/24/2025House

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

    11/17/2025House

  8. Legislative Meeting

    11/4/2025House

  9. Notice of Mark-up filed in the Office of Secretary

    10/23/2025House

  10. Legislative Meeting

    10/21/2025House

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

    10/21/2025House

  12. Legislative Meeting

    10/7/2025House

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

    6/4/2025House

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

    5/16/2025House

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

    5/13/2025House

  16. Referred to Committee of the Whole

    4/1/2025House

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

    3/28/2025House

  18. 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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