SSB 6353
In CommitteeSenate
Working conn. child care
Modifying the working connections child care program.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill expands access to subsidized child care for low- and moderate-income families, increases payments to child care providers to help cover costs, and gives family child care providers the right to collectively bargain over wages and benefits. It also simplifies billing rules for providers and sets a path toward market-rate compensation over time.
- Expands income eligibility for Working Connections Child Care: households earning up to 60% of state median income (adjusted for family size) qualify now; eligibility may expand to 75% in 2029 and 85% in 2031 (if funded).
- Automatically confirms income eligibility for families receiving SNAP or state food assistance starting November 1, 2024.
- Allows child care providers to claim daily payments for children attending at least one day per month (up to 15 days), plus additional days beyond 15, within their authorization period.
- Raises child care subsidy rates to 85th percentile of market rates by July 1, 2026, and 75th percentile by July 1, 2027.
- Requires uniform subsidy rates within a region and allows for tiered or enhanced payments for children with special needs or extended care hours.
- Grants family child care providers collective bargaining rights as public employees, covering wages, benefits, and provider supports—subject to legislative funding approval.
- Repeals the current ‘prospective payment’ rule (RCW 43.216.827), allowing more flexible billing.
Who is affected
- Families seeking child care assistance — Families with children under 13 (or under 19 with special needs or court supervision) whose household income is at or below 60% of state median income (adjusted for family size) may qualify for subsidized child care. Starting November 1, 2024, households receiving food assistance are automatically deemed to meet income eligibility. Expanded eligibility may extend to households earning up to 85% of state median income starting in 2031, if funding is available.
- Licensed or certified child care providers — Child care providers who accept state subsidy payments can now claim daily payments for children who attend at least one day per month (up to 15 days), plus additional days beyond 15, within their authorized period. This change aims to simplify billing and improve provider cash flow.
- Family child care providers — Family child care providers gain formal recognition as public employees *solely for collective bargaining purposes*, enabling them to negotiate wages, benefits, and other economic terms through a statewide union. The state must fund any negotiated agreements, and agreements remain in effect until a new one is approved.
- Child care providers (especially those accepting state subsidies) — Child care providers may see increased subsidy rates over time: starting in 2026, base rates must reach the 85th percentile of market rates; by 2027, they must reach the 75th percentile. Rates must be uniform within a subsidy region, and providers may receive tiered or enhanced payments for specific needs.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for concerns
Potential Benefits (5)
Prohibits family child care providers from striking and reserves legislative authority to modify program standards and eligibility—limiting disruption risk but reinforcing state control over service delivery.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 6(2)(e); Sec. 6(4)(d)Preserves parental rights to choose or terminate child care services and maintains state authority over licensing and program rules—no substantive rights expansion or erosion for families or providers.
Rights & LibertiesRef: Sec. 6(4)(d)Does not impose new mandates on local governments; child care regulation remains state-administered, with no added fiscal or administrative burden on counties or municipalities.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 6(4)(d)Supports early childhood education access, but does not alter K–12 curriculum, standards, or funding—indirect benefits to school readiness, but no direct curricular or structural change.
EducationRef: Sec. 6(4)(d)Collective bargaining scope is narrowly limited to economic compensation and supports—excludes retirement benefits and excludes providers from full public-employee status, limiting long-term structural change.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 6(2)(c)(i)-(ii)
Potential Concerns (5)
Expands access to subsidized child care for low- and moderate-income families, including automatic income verification for SNAP recipients, improving access to early childhood health and developmental services.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1(2), (3), (4); Sec. 1(5) (Nov. 1, 2024 automatic SNAP confirmation)Raises child care subsidy rates to 85th percentile of market rates by 2026 and 75th by 2027, improving provider revenue and sustainability—especially for centers accepting state subsidies.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 4(2)(a)-(b); Sec. 5Grants family child care providers collective bargaining rights as public employees for wages, subsidy rates, and benefits, enabling them to negotiate economic terms—though implementation depends on legislative funding approval.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 6(1), (2)(c)(A)-(H); Sec. 6(5)-(9)Simplifies billing by allowing daily payments for children attending at least one day/month (up to 15 days), improving cash flow and administrative efficiency for providers.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2 & Sec. 3 (daily payment rules); Sec. 7 (repeal of prospective payment rule)Reduces financial strain on low-income families by lowering child care cost burden, freeing up household income for housing, food, and other essentials.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 1(5) (Nov. 1, 2024 SNAP auto-confirmation); Sec. 1(2) (60% SMI eligibility)
Who Is Most Affected
Families earning ≤60% SMI (≈$52K for a family of 3) gain expanded access to affordable child care; automatic SNAP verification removes administrative barriers, reducing time and stress for low-income parents.
Family child care providers gain formal bargaining rights and potential rate increases, but must still rely on annual legislative appropriations—offering stronger leverage than before, though not guaranteed long-term gains.
Licensed child care centers may benefit from higher subsidy rates and simplified billing, but must absorb administrative changes; larger providers gain more than micro-businesses due to economies of scale in billing and compliance.
The state faces increased biennial spending (estimated $100M–$200M+ depending on rate implementation and eligibility expansion), which could strain the general fund and compete with other priorities like K–12 or health care.
Low-income working parents benefit from reduced child care cost burden, but middle-income families just above 60% SMI may face a steep cliff if eligibility doesn’t expand as scheduled due to funding constraints.