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WashingtonHB 13512025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Adjusting age requirements for accessing the early childhood education and assistance program.

Sponsored By: Adam Bernbaum (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More preschool options for younger children

The law allows extra ECEAP enrollment when seats are open, including children who turn 3 after August 31. Those younger children must otherwise meet the program’s eligible-child definition. The temporary space-available track has a statewide cap of 25% of enrollment. It covers family income above 110% through 130% of the federal poverty level. Income above 130% through 200% requires at least one department risk factor. Its food-assistance route begins November 1, 2024 for otherwise ineligible children in households receiving SNAP or state food benefits. Another route requires qualifying prior services plus either income up to 200% of poverty or a department risk factor. Listed services include Early Head Start, Early Support for Infants and Toddlers, and birth-to-three ECEAP when established. The department must prioritize risks linked to poorer school readiness and performance. These include low income, homelessness, child welfare involvement, developmental delay, domestic violence, and English-learner status. They also include early-learning expulsions, parental incarceration, parental substance-use or mental-health treatment needs, and other department-identified risks. This temporary track expires July 1, 2025 when Senate Bill 5752 was enacted by that date; otherwise, July 1, 2026. Its replacement starts on the same applicable date and requires open seats and money specifically budgeted for this purpose. The replacement requires qualifying prior services plus either income up to 50% of state median income or a department risk factor. Its services include Early Head Start, infant-and-toddler support or class C developmental services, birth-to-three ECEAP, and childhood intervention and prevention services. The replacement also preserves the route for children who turn 3 after August 31. Children in these extra enrollment tracks do not count toward the state-funded preschool entitlement.

Broader preschool access with eligibility limits

The law changes who qualifies for Washington’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, called ECEAP. Children generally must turn 3 by August 31, be too young for kindergarten, and not attend another comprehensive-services program. The starting rules depend on whether Senate Bill 5752 was enacted by July 1, 2025. Without that enactment, July 1, 2025 rules cover income up to 110% of the federal poverty level or special-education eligibility. Department-defined eligibility can cover no more than 10% of enrollment. Broader rules begin July 1, 2025 with that enactment, or July 1, 2026 without it, and expire August 1, 2030. They cover financial need, homelessness, prior qualifying early-childhood services, special-education eligibility, and qualifying Indian status. The Indian-status route has a family income ceiling of 100% of state median income. Beginning August 1, 2030, eligibility also includes households eligible for or receiving SNAP or state food assistance. The income route uses 36% of state median income through the 2030–31 school year, then 50%, adjusted for family size. The later rules retain the other qualifying routes and the 10% limit on department-defined eligibility. Enrollment preferences favor lower-income families, children in foster care, and families with multiple needs. The department must consult tribes before defining Indian status in its rules.

Preschool families gain therapist support connections

ECEAP family support services include opportunities to connect families with therapists and supports that respect their cultures and disabilities. Connections are included when appropriate, not guaranteed treatment or payment for therapy. This change begins July 1, 2025 when Senate Bill 5752 was enacted by that date; otherwise, July 1, 2026. The replacement rules beginning August 1, 2030 retain these support connections.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Adam Bernbaum

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Carolyn Eslick

    Republican • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Greg Nance

    Democratic • House

  • Julio Cortes

    Democratic • House

  • Larry Springer

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

  • Victoria Hunt

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 242 • No: 0

House vote • 4/22/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 97 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/1/2025*.

    5/13/2025House

  2. Chapter 253, 2025 Laws.

    5/13/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/13/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/25/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/24/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/22/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/22/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/8/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/8/2025House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    4/8/2025House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/4/2025House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/28/2025House

  14. EDU - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    3/27/2025House

  15. First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education.

    3/6/2025House

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/4/2025House

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2025House

  18. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/4/2025House

  19. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/28/2025House

  20. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/21/2025House

  21. APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Early Learning & Human Services.

    2/20/2025House

  22. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/20/2025House

  23. Referred to Appropriations.

    2/4/2025House

  24. ELHS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/31/2025House

  25. ELHS - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/31/2025House

Bill Text

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