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WashingtonHB 26892025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning the working connections child care program.

Sponsored By: Mia Gregerson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Easier child care access for families

Beginning April 1, 2026, Washington treats the Working Connections Child Care income test as met for qualifying food-assistance families. The applicant or recipient must belong to a unit eligible for or receiving SNAP or Washington state food assistance. Other program requirements still apply. Generally, children must be under 13, or under 19 with a verified special need or under court supervision. The usual income limit is 60% of state median income, adjusted for family size. Separate eligibility paths under RCW 43.216.808 and 43.216.814 are exempt from this income limit. The department cannot consider a child's citizenship and must adopt rules for an income phase-out period.

Planned child care expansions for families canceled

Beginning April 1, 2026, the law cancels two planned Working Connections Child Care eligibility expansions. The July 1, 2029 expansion covered incomes above 60% and up to 75% of state median income. The July 1, 2031 expansion covered incomes above 75% and up to 85%, subject to funding. Both required a qualifying child and compliance with the program's other requirements. Families in these income ranges lose those scheduled eligibility expansions, not an existing benefit.

Child care provider payments follow attendance

The law requires attendance-based subsidy claim rules for licensed or certified centers by October 1, 2026. Those temporary rules expire July 1, 2027, when permanent rules apply to licensed or certified providers accepting state subsidies. For 16 or more attendance days in a calendar month, providers can claim all authorized days. For 9–15 attendance days, claims cannot exceed authorized days or 15 days, whichever is lower. For 1–8 attendance days, claims cannot exceed authorized days or 11 days, whichever is lower. Authorized half-day or partial-day care received by the child uses the applicable half-day or partial-day rate.

Regional child care rates face new limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, licensed or certified providers must receive their location's regional subsidy base rate. Rates must reach the 85th percentile of the market survey published most recently before May 20, 2025. Beginning July 1, 2027, the target becomes the 75th percentile of market. For surveys published from June 1, 2028, regional results can support increases only with at least 40% provider participation, exceeding the prior even-year survey. Once participation reaches 65%, it must stay at least 65% for later results to count.

Child care rate recommendations reflect full costs

Beginning April 1, 2026, Washington's child care department must use its completed cost method when recommending subsidy rates. Recommended rates must cover licensed or certified providers' full costs of high-quality child care. This requirement guides recommendations; it does not set a payment amount or guarantee an increase.

Advance child care payment arrangement ends

Beginning April 1, 2026, the law repeals the statutory arrangement for paying child care subsidies in advance. This affects providers receiving state child care subsidies. The repeal does not state a replacement payment schedule or quantify any change in provider cash flow.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mia Gregerson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 137 • No: 105

House vote • 3/11/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 51 • No: 45 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 33 • No: 16

House vote • 3/4/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 53 • No: 44 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 264, 2026 Laws.

    4/1/2026House

  2. Governor signed.

    4/1/2026legislature

  3. Effective date 4/1/2026*.

    4/1/2026House

  4. President signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 33; nays, 16; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/11/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/11/2026House

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

    3/11/2026House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/11/2026House

  11. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/11/2026House

  12. Passed final passage; yeas, 51; nays, 45; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/11/2026House

  13. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/11/2026House

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/10/2026House

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    3/10/2026House

  16. WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    3/10/2026House

  17. First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

    3/6/2026House

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 53; nays, 44; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/4/2026House

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2026House

  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/4/2026House

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

    3/3/2026House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/2/2026House

  23. Minority; do not pass.

    3/2/2026House

  24. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/2/2026House

  25. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/2/2026House

Bill Text

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