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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
AN ACT
D.C. ACT 26-196
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
NOVEMBER 10, 2025
‘Toamend,onanemergencybasis,theDayCarePolicyActof1979toupdatetheminimumsalaries
childdevelopmentfacilitiesmustpayassistantandleadteachersbeginninginJanuary2026toparticipateintheFarlyChildhoodEducatorPayEquityProgramandtoincorporatetheEarlyChildhoodEducatorEquitableCompensationTaskForceandtheEarlyChildhoodEducatorPayEquityFundintotheact;andtomakeconformingamendments.
BEITENACTEDBYTHECOUNCILOFTHEDISTRICTOFCOLUMBIA,Thatthisactmaybecitedasthe“EarlyChildhoodEducatorPayScalesEmergencyAmendmentActof2025”.
Sec.2.TheDayCarePolicyActof1979,effectiveSeptember19,1979(D.C.Law3-16;D.C,OfficialCode§4-401efseq.),isamendedasfollows:
(a)Section2(D.C.OfficialCode§4-401)isamendedasfollows:
(1)A newparagraph(3A-i)isaddedtoreadasfollows:
“A-i)Theterm“community-basedorganization”meansaHeadStartorearlychildhoodeducationprogramoperatedbyanonprofitentity,faith-basedorganization,orotherentitythatparticipatesinfederallyfundedearlychildhoodprograms.”.
(2)Paragraph(4A)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“section5102oftheBarlyChildhoodEducatorPayEquityFundEstablishmentActof2021,effectiveNovember13,2021(D.C.Law24-45;D.C,OfficialCode§1-325.431)”andinsertingthephrase“section11d”initsplace.
(3)Paragraph(4C)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“section116(b)-(c)”andinsertingthephrase“section11b”initsplace.(4)A newparagraph(5C-)isaddedtoreadasfollows:
“(C-i)Theterm“subsidy”meanssupplementalpaymentsmadebytheMayorpursuanttosection5a.”.
(b)SectionI1a(D.C.OfficialCode§4-410.01)isamendedasfollows:(1)Subsection(b)isrepealed.
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
(2)Thelead-inlanguageinsubsection(¢)isamendedtoreadasfollows:
“(¢)By February1,2024, and ona triennialbasisthereafter,OSSE shallconducta cost
modeling analysistoestimatethecostsof careforchilddevelopmentfacilitiesintheDistrict,
which shallincorporatethecostof implementingtheECE salaryscaleestablishedand updated
pursuanttosection11b,and submit a reporttothe Councilthatincludes:”.
(b)Section11b (D.C.OfficialCode § 4-410.02)isamended as follows:
(1)Subsection(b-1)isamendedasfollows:
(A)Designatetheexistingtextasparagraph(1).
(B)Thelead-inlanguageofparagraph(1)isamendedbystrikingthe
phrase“September 30,2026” and insertingthephrase“December 31,2025”in itsplace.
(C)A newparagraph(2)isaddedtoreadasfollows:
“(2)From January 1,2026,throughSeptember 30,2026,childdevelopment
facilitiesthatenteror have enteredintoa contractoragreementwith theDepartment toreceive
monies from theEarlyChildhood EducatorPay EquityFund shalluse such monies topay,at
minimum, thesalariesforassistantand leadteacherslistedinthefollowingtables:
(Table1:AssistantTeacher Minimum Salaries
sredentialLevel (Minimum Salary
(CDA. $48,736/year($23.43/hour)
|Associatedegreeor higheror 60 hoursof $51,576/year($24.80/hour)
ollege-levelcoursework inany field
[Table2:LeadTeacherMinimumSalaries
(CredentialLevel inimumSalary
|Childdevelopmentcenterteacherorexpanded$48,736/year($23.43/hour)+hilddevelopmenthomecaregiverwithaCDA.
hhilddevelopmenthomecaregiverwithaCDA [$51,576/year($24.80/hour)
‘AssociateinECE;associatewithatleast12 |§60,678/year($29.17/hour)xredithoursinECE;60collegecredithourslwithatleast12credithoursinECE
[Bachelor’sorhigherinECE;orbachelor’sor [871,010/year($34.14/hour)hhigherwithatleast12credithoursinECE
(3)Subsection(¢)isamendedasfollows:
(A)Paragraph(1)isamendedtoreadasfollows:
“(o)(1)BeginningFebruary1,2026,andannuallybyFebruary1 thereafter,the
DepartmentshallprovideapublicreporttotheCouncilandtothemembersoftheEarlyChildhoodEducatorEquitableCompensationTaskForcethatanalyzespossibleupdatestotheminimumsalariesforassistantandleadteachersforthefollowingfiscalyear.Theanalysisshall
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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
considerthesalarytablesprovidedinsubsection(b-1)ofthissectionfromthepast3years.Thereportshallinclude:
“(A)Recommendedminimumsalariesfortheupcomingfiscalyear,adjustedtoreflecttheyear-over-yearpercentagechangeintheChainedConsumerPriceIndex
forAllUrbanConsumersfortheWashington-Baltimore,DC-MD-VA-WVarea;
“(B)A comparisonoftheDistrict’scurrentminimumsalarieswiththoseinsurroundingjurisdictions,includingeducatorsinpre-kindergartenandkindergartenclassrooms,andrecommendationsforkeepingDistrictsalariescompetitiveacrosstheregion;
“(©)A comparisonoftheDistrict'scurrentminimumsalarieswiththoseforcomparablepositionsunderthecurrentoperativecontractwiththeWashingtonTeachers’
Union;
“(D)AnassessmentoftheprojectedfundingneededfortheupcomingfiscalyeartomakefullpaymentstoallchilddevelopmentfacilitieswithexistingagreementswiththeDepartmenttoimplementtheECEsalaryscalebasedonthecurrentandrecommendedsalaries;and
“(B)AdiscussionoftheEarlyChildhoodEducatorPayEquityProgram’simpactsandoutcomes,andrecommendations,ifany,forimprovingtheprogram’simpact,fundingformula,oradministrativeoperationstoenhanceoutcomesandcostefficacy.”.
(B)Paragraph(3)isrepealed.
(2)Subsection(4)(1)isamendedasfollows:
(A)Subparagraph(A)isamendedbystrikingthephrase“;or”andinsertingasemicoloninitsplace.
(B)Subparagraph(B)isamendedbystrikingtheperiodandinsertingthephrase“;or”initsplace.
(©)A newsubparagraph(C)isaddedtoreadasfollows:
“(C)Revise,consistentwithappropriations,theminimumsalariesprovidedinsubsection(b-1)ofthissectionbyruleissuedpursuanttoTitleIoftheDistrictof
ColumbiaAdministrativeProcedureAct,approvedOctober21,1968(82Stat.1024;D.C.OffficialCode§2-501etseq.).”.
(3)A newsubsection(¢)isaddedtoreadasfollows:
“(e)TheChiefFinancialOfficershallreporttotheCouncilonaquarterlybasisindicating
thefiscalyearexpendituresfromtheEarlyChildhoodEducatorPayEquityFund(“Fund”)todateandthetotalamountoffundsremainingintheFund.Thereportshallbesubmittednolaterthan21daysfollowingtheendofeachquarter.”
(0)Section11d(D.C.OfficialCode§4-410.04)isrevivedandamendedtoreadasfollows:
“Sec.11d,EarlyChildhoodEducatorPayEquityFund.
“(@)ThereisestablishedasaspecialfundtheEarlyChildhoodEducatorPayEquityFund(“Fund”),whichshallbeacontinuationofthefundestablishedbytheEarlyChildhoodEducator
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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
Pay EquityFund EstablishmentAct of 2021,effectiveNovember 13,2021 (D.C.Law 24-45;
D.C, OfficialCode § 1-325.431),and administeredby theDepartment inaccordancewith
subsection(c)ofthissection.
“(b)ThefollowingfundsshallbedepositedintotheFund:
“(1)InFiscalYear2022,$53,920,878inlocalfunds;
“(2)In FiscalYear 2023, $72,889,092inlocalfunds;
“@G)In FiscalYear 2024, $69,508,332in localfunds;
“(4)In FiscalYear 2025,$70,000,000inlocalfunds;and
“(5)In FiscalYear 2026,$72,126,902inlocalfunds.
“(¢)TheFundshallbeusedto:
“(1)SupporttheimplementationoftheEarlyChildhoodEducatorPayEquity
Program;
(2)Subjecttoappropriations,reducehealthinsurancepremiumspaidbychild
developmentfacilities,oremployeesofchilddevelopmentfacilitieseligibletoreceivethe
minimum salarieslistedinsection11b,pursuanttoan agreementwith theDistrictof Columbia
HealthBenefitExchange; and
“(3)(A)PaytheDepartmentadministrativecostsrelatedtoimplementingthe
EarlyChildhoodEducatorPayEquityProgram,whichmayinclude:
“(i)Personnelandassociatednon-personnelcosts;
“(ii)GranteeorcontractorcostsrelatedtodistributingFund
monies;and
“Gii)Costsrelatedtoprovidingtechnicalassistancetochild
developmentfacilities,
“(B)Administrativecostsauthorizedtobepaidpursuanttosubparagraph
(A)ofthisparagraphshallnotexceed5%oftheannualamountdepositedintheFund.
“(@)(1)MoneydepositedintotheFundbutnotexpendedinafiscalyearshallnotrevert
totheunassignedfund balanceof the GeneralFund of theDistrictof Columbia attheend ofa
fiscalyear,oratanytime,
“(2)Subjecttoauthorizationinanapprovedbudgetandfinancialplan,anyfunds
appropriatedintheFundshallbecontinuallyavailablewithoutregardtofiscalyearlimitation.
“(¢)Unlessotherwiseprohibitedbyfederallaw,lump-sumpaymentsanindividual
receivesfrom theFund shallnot be countedas income or assets:
“(1)Forthepurposesofdeterminingeligibilityorcalculatingbenefitsunderthe
Districtof Columbia PublicAssistanceAct of 1982,effectiveApril6, 1982 (D.C.Law 4-101;
D.C.OfficialCode§4-201.01erseq.);and
“(2)Forthepurposeofdeterminingeligibilityorcalculatingbenefitsforthe
followingbenefitprograms:
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(A)D.C.HealthCareAlliance,referencedinsection8(2)ofthe
DepartmentofHealthCareFinanceEstablishmentActof2007,effectiveFebruary27,2008(D.C.Law17-109;D.C.OfficialCode§7-771.07(2)),otanysubsequentprogramestablishedtoprovidepublichealthinsurancecoveragetoresidentsineligibleforMedicaid;
“(B)EducationalscholarshipstheDistrictadministerswithlocalfunds;
“(©HomePurchaseAssistanceProgram,referencedinsection32oftheHomePurchaseAssistanceFundActof1978,effectiveJuly1,2016(D.C.Law21-139;D.C.OfficialCode§42-2602.01);
“(D)HousingsubsidyvouchersissuedthroughtheRentSupplementProgram,establishedbysection26aoftheDistrictofColumbiaHousingAuthorityActof1999,effectiveMarch2,2007(D.C.Law16-192;D.C.OfficialCode§6-226);
“()GrandparentCaregiverProgramestablishedbysection102oftheGrandparentCaregiversPilotProgramEstablishmentActof2005,effectiveMarch8,2006(D.C.Law16-69;D.C.OfficialCode§4-251.02);
“(P)CloseRelativeCaregiverProgram,establishedbysection102oftheCloseRelativeCaregiverSubsidyPilotProgramEstablishmentAmendmentActof2019,effectiveNovember26,2019(D.C.Law23-32;D.C.OfficialCode§4-251.22);and
“(G)OtherDistrictgovernmentbenefitprogramsadministeredwithlocalfunds,includingStrongFamilies,StrongFutures.”.
(e)A newsection15¢isaddedtoreadasfollows:
“Seo.1c.EarlyChildhoodEducatorEquitableCompensationTaskForee.
“(a)(1)ThereisestablishedbytheCouncilanEarlyChildhoodEducatorEquitableCompensationTaskForce(“TaskForce”),whichshallhave,asoftheeffectivedateoftheBarlyChildhoodEducatorPayScalesEmergencyAmendmentActof2025,passedonemergencybasis
onOctober21,2025(EnrolledversionofBill26-433)(“ECEPayScalesAmendmentAct”),thesamemembersastheEarlyChildhoodEducatorEquitableCompensationTaskForceestablishedpursuanttotheEarlyChildhoodEducatorEquitableCompensationTaskForceActof2021,effectiveNovember13,2021(D.C,Law24-45,D.C.OfficialCode§38-2241efseq.),untiltheirsuccessorsareappointed.
*(b)(1)TheTaskForceshallbecomposedoftheChairmanoftheCouncil,orhisorherdesignee,theStateSuperintendentofEducation,orhisorherdesignee,and12Districtresidents,
appointedbytheChairman,representingthefollowingentitiesorgroups:
“(A)FamilieswhosechildrenarereceivingorhavereceivedearlychildhoodeducationorchildcareservicesfromearlychildhooddevelopmentfacilitiesintheDistrict;
“(B)Community-basedorganizations;
“(C)Earlychildhoodeducationassociations,advocacyorresearchorganizations;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
“(D)Operatorsofchilddevelopmentfacilitieswhoparticipateinthechildcaresubsidyprograms;
“(E)Operatorsofchilddevelopmentfacilitieswhodonotcurrentlyparticipateinthechildcaresubsidyprogram;
“(E)Operatorsofhome-basedchilddevelopmentfacilities;
“(G)Employeesofchilddevelopmentfacilities;and
“(H)Anindividualwithanexpertiseineconomicsorpolicy,whohasan
understandingoftheDistrict’searlychildhooddevelopmentandeducationsector.
“(3)Atleast2membersoftheTaskForceshallbeemployeesofchilddevelopmentfacilities,oneofwhomsballbeaparticipantintheEarlyChildhoodEducatorPayEquityProgram.
“(4)TheChairman,orhisorherdesignee,shallserveastheChairpersonoftheTaskForce.
“(©)FollowingtheeffectivedateoftheECEPayScalesAmendmentAct,theTaskForceshallconvene:
“(1)Atleastevery3rdcalendaryearstartingin2027;or
(2)WhendeemednecessarybytheChairmanoftheCouncil.
“(@)Within60daysaftertheDepartmentpublishesthereportrequiredpursuanttosection11b(),theTaskForceshallmeetandsubmitaresponsetotheCouncilthat:
“(1)ReviewstheDepartment'sreport,therecommendedsalaryscales,theEarly
ChildhoodEducatorPayEquityProgramfundingformula,andthestateoftheearlychildhoodeducationworkforce;and
“(2)Makesrecommendationstoimprovesystemicsupports.
“(e)ShouldavacancyoccurontheTaskForceaftertheeffectivedateoftheECEPayScalesAmendmentAct,theChairman,inconsultationwiththeStateSuperintendentofEducation,shallappointanindividualtofillthevacancywhosequalificationsandexperiencearecomparabletothoseoftheindividualwhovacatedtherole,andwhoseappointmentmaintains
thecompositionrequirementssetforthinsubsection(b)ofthissection.”.
Sec.3.TheEarlyChildhoodPayEquityFundEstablishmentActof2021,effectiveNovember13,2021(D.C.Law24-45;D.C.OfficialCode§1-325.431),isrepealed.
Sec.4.TheEarlyChildhoodEducatorEquitableCompensationTaskForceActof2021,effectiveNovember13,2021(D.C.Law24-45,D.C,OfficialCode§38-2241etseq.),isrepealed.
See.5,Fiscalimpactstatement,
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
The Counciladoptsthefiscalimpactstatementof theBudget Directoras thefiscalimpact
statementrequiredby section4a of theGeneralLegislativeProceduresAct of 1975,approved
October 16,2006 (120 Stat.2038; D.C. OfficialCode § 1-301.47a).
Sec.6.Effectivedate.
ThisactshalltakeeffectfollowingapprovalbytheMayor(orintheeventofvetobytheMayor,actionbytheCounciltooverridetheveto)andshallremainineffectfornolongerthan90days,asprovidedforemergencyactsoftheCounciloftheDistrictofColumbiainsection412(a)oftheDistrictofColumbiaHomeRuleAct,approvedDecember24,1973(87Stat.813;D.C,OfficialCode§1-204.12(a)).
Chairman
Councilofthe Districtof Columbia
DistrictofColumbia.APPROVED
NOVEMBER 10, 2025
COUNCILOFTHE DISTRICTOF COLUMBIA i
WASHINGTON,DC,20004
[ITEMONCONSENTCALENDAR
[X]ACTION FinalReading
[XIVOTEDATE October21,2028 i
[XdVOICEVoTE ‘Approved !
RECORDEDVOTEONREQUEST
ABSENT
[JROLLCALLVOTE—Resut
‘ChairmanMendelson)X Henderson
Allen. x LewisGeorge
McDutfie
Nadeau CERTIFICATIONRECORD
‘SecretalytotheCounc Bate