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SB5310 • 2026
Concerning child care subsidy rates.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Child care subsidy rates
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
Child care subsidy rates
AN ACT Relating to child care subsidy rates; amending RCW 1 43.216.828; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3 Sec. 1. RCW 43.216.828 and 2021 c 199 s 301 are each amended to 4 read as follows: 5 (1) It is the intent of the legislature to systemically increase 6 child care subsidy rates over time until rates are equal to the full 7 cost of providing high quality child care. 8 (2)(a) Beginning July 1, ((2021, child care subsidy base rates 9 must achieve the 85th )) 2025, the department must pay the lesser of 10 the following to a licensed or certified child care center, family 11 home provider, and outdoor nature-based child care provider receiving 12 state subsidy payments:13 (i) The child care provider's rate for a child from a family not 14 eligible for state subsidy payments; or15 (ii) The child care subsidy base rate that achieves the 75th 16 percentile of market for licensed or certified child care providers.17 (b) The state and the exclusive representative for family ((child 18 care)) home providers must enter into bargaining over the 19 implementation of the subsidy rate increase under this subsection.20 S-0273.1 SENATE BILL 5310 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senators Braun, Boehnke, and Christian Read first time 01/16/25. Referred to Committee on Ways & Means. p. 1 SB 5310 (3)(a) The department shall build upon the work of the child care 1 collaborative task force to develop and implement a child care cost 2 estimate model and use the completed child care cost model to 3 recommend subsidy rates at levels that are sufficient to compensate 4 licensed or certified child care providers for the full costs of 5 providing high quality child care. The department shall consider:6 (i) Adjusting rates to reflect cost of living such as area median 7 income, cost of living by zip code, and grouping by categories such 8 as rural, suburban, or urban; and 9 (ii) Incorporating the rate model for nonstandard child care 10 hours developed under section 306, chapter 199, Laws of 2021.11 (b) The department shall build upon the work of the child care 12 collaborative task force to evaluate options to support access to 13 affordable health care insurance coverage for licensed or certified 14 child care providers. 15 (4) This section does not interfere with, impede, or in any way 16 diminish the right of family ((child care)) home providers to bargain 17 collectively with the state through the exclusive bargaining 18 representatives as provided for under RCW 41.56.028.19 NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act is necessary for the immediate 20 preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of 21 the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes 22 effect July 1, 2025.23 --- END --- p. 2 SB 5310