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WashingtonHB 16482025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Modifying child care provider qualifications.

Sponsored By: Tom Dent (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Affordable training and more time for providers

Washington’s child care agency must maintain community-based training without college credit for licensed providers, with implementation required by July 1, 2021. It must cover core early learning skills, include culturally relevant practices, and be available in multiple languages and rural and urban areas. Training costs no more than $250 per person and must be priced comparably to similar community training. Providers have until at least August 1, 2030, to meet initial or short early childhood education certificate requirements or complete this training. The agency can grant up to five additional years through rules based on when providers were licensed, hired, or promoted. Providers must still meet required health, safety, and related training rules.

Experienced child care providers get another option

Until August 1, 2030, eligible licensed child care providers can use work experience instead of an initial, short, or state early childhood education certificate. Active employment in a job requiring that certificate must be recorded in Washington’s child care workforce registry. Providers must have worked continuously since August 1, 2021, as of this section’s effective date, or have five total years in a licensed or certified child care center or licensed family home. They must complete and stay current with required health, safety, and child care or school-age care basics training. The agency can set stricter rules for providers serving the early childhood education and assistance program, including excluding this option.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Tom Dent

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Brian Burnett

    Republican • House

  • Carolyn Eslick

    Republican • House

  • Cyndy Jacobsen

    Republican • House

  • Jenny Graham

    Republican • House

  • Joshua Penner

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 241 • No: 0

House vote • 4/22/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/6/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 97 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/15/2025House

  2. Chapter 281, 2025 Laws.

    5/15/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/15/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/25/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/24/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    4/22/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/22/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    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.

    4/2/2025House

  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.

    3/10/2025House

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/6/2025House

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2025House

  18. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/6/2025House

  19. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    3/6/2025House

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

    3/4/2025House

  21. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/28/2025House

  22. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/26/2025House

  23. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/26/2025House

  24. Referred to Appropriations.

    2/20/2025House

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

    2/18/2025House

Bill Text

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