Legislation on affordable child care, early learning passes

Legislation that would provide Washingtonians with more accessible and affordable child care programs passed the state House of Representatives in a 58-38 vote during a floor debate held online Tuesday.

House Bill 1213 would create the Fair Start for Kids Account to fund child care and early learning, according to the bill’s text. The state’s Early Learning Advisory Council would also have additional responsibilities, such as addressing systemic racial inequities.

Rep. Tana Senn, D-Mercer Island, is HB 1213’s primary sponsor. Senn said during the virtual floor debate child care providers have been “running things on a shoestring” for decades, and the bill would help establish a roadmap for the state.

“It’s impossible to open the news and not see an article about parents struggling to find or afford child care, which is now more expensive than college,” Senn said.

Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, voted against HB 1213. Dent said during the virtual floor debate although he has a passion for the well-being of children in the state, the bill is making the state move “too fast.”

“I’m not opposed to everything. I’m not opposed to the policy,” Dent said. “I’m opposed to how quickly we’re moving it. It’s not something that we’re going to be able to sustain.”

HB 1213 would also expand families’ eligibility in the state Working Connections Child Care Program, as well as the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, according to the bill’s text.

Providers of child care and early learning would also receive more support under HB 1213. The state Department of Children, Youth and Families would be required to compensate providers offering trauma-informed care.

Rep. Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, said during the debate HB 1213 would help transform the child care industry in the state for generations to come. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the industry, and providers are needed to help the state recover, he said.

“This (bill) is about jobs. This is about employees and employers. This is about economic recovery. This is about equity, and most of all, this is about our kids,” Chopp said.

Rep. Bob McCaslin, R-Spokane Valley, said during the virtual floor debate HB 1213 would increase the power the Department of Children, Youth and Families has, which may cause small providers of child care to go out of business.

“This is going to increase regulations,” McCaslin said. “It’s going to increase the growth of that particular agency.”

Subject to the state’s budget, the department would be required to manage a program to support expectant parents and caregivers with their children from birth until they turn 3 years old, according to the bill’s text.

The department would also manage early therapeutic and preventative programs for children if they are at risk of abuse, neglect or are exposed to trauma and have developmental delays, according to the bill’s text, but only if the state’s budget allows.

Dent’s proposed amendment, which would require the department to create a task force to develop recommendations regarding regulatory relief and making the providers’ licensing process more affordable, was not adopted.

“This gets at the heart of some of the problems our child care providers are facing,” Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, said during the virtual floor debate in support of Dent’s amendment.

Dent said there are child care providers in his district who “can’t stay afloat.” His amendment could help providers continue offering services as it could help modify the cost of the licensing process.

“I’m trying to help them because I want them to be in business,” Dent said.

Senn said the state does not need any more task forces, studies or workgroups — the state needs to take action instead.

“The answer is not to lower regulation and to lower requirements ... the answer is how this bill is addressing this issue,” Rep. Vandana Slatter, D-Bellevue, said during the virtual floor debate in opposition to Dent’s amendment.