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Bill

SB 5872

Establishing the preK promise account.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jess Bateman and 10 co-sponsors

Washington creates dedicated preK promise account to fund statewide early childhood education expansion with state appropriations for eligible families and providers.

Effective date 3/14/2026*.
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Bill Summary · SB 5872

Legislative bill overview

SB 5872 establishes the preK promise account in Washington state, creating a dedicated funding mechanism for pre-kindergarten programs. The bill allocates resources to expand access to quality early childhood education for eligible families, with funding deposited into this newly created account for distribution to participating providers and programs.

Why is this important

Pre-K access significantly impacts school readiness, long-term educational outcomes, and workforce participation among parents—particularly lower-income families. This bill represents a substantial state investment in early childhood infrastructure that could affect tens of thousands of Washington families and has multiplier effects on public education and economic participation.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal commitment: The bill requires ongoing state appropriations; concerns may arise over funding levels, sustainability, and competition with other budget priorities during economic downturns
  • Program eligibility and access: Debates likely center on income thresholds, geographic coverage (urban vs. rural), and whether the program adequately serves all demographic groups or creates new disparities
  • Provider participation requirements: Questions may emerge regarding teacher qualifications, facility standards, reimbursement rates, and whether regulations burden private providers or create administrative barriers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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