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SB 5752

Modifying child care and early childhood development programs.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Manka Dhingra and 2 co-sponsors

Delays full ECEAP entitlement to 2030–31 and reshapes eligibility and funding for ECEAP, WCCC, and Birth-to-Three, with many changes contingent on appropriation.

Effective date 7/1/2025*.
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Bill Summary · SB 5752

Summary — SB 5752 (69th Legislature, 2025)

Modifying child care and early childhood development programs

Status: Chapter 412, 2025 Laws. Governor signed 5/20/2025. Effective date: 7/1/2025.

Purpose

SB 5752 revises eligibility, implementation timelines, funding conditions, and administrative duties for Washington’s early learning and child care systems—principally the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), the Birth‑to‑Three ECEAP pilot, and the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy program. It also adds monitoring/reporting requirements and pilots to expand school‑age care.

Major provisions and changes

  • ECEAP entitlement timeline

    • Delays full statewide phased implementation (and the point at which eligible children are entitled to enroll) from the 2026–27 school year to the 2030–31 school year. Enrollment remains voluntary.

  • ECEAP eligibility

    • Moves some ECEAP eligibility changes scheduled for 7/1/2026 to 7/1/2025 (i.e., those upcoming eligibility rule changes take effect earlier).
    • Revises statutory definitions of “eligible child” and “family with financial need”:
    • “Family with financial need” defined as ≤36% of state median income (SMI) until 2030–31, and ≤50% SMI beginning 2030–31.
    • Removes (strikes) the provision that allowed (and would later entitle) children in households eligible for or receiving Basic Food (SNAP) to enroll in ECEAP.
    • Retains categories for homelessness, special education eligibility, participation in early/head start or early intervention programs, and tribal definitions with income threshold (≤100% SMI for tribal children).

  • Birth‑to‑Three ECEAP pilot

    • Confirms development of a phased pilot for children under 36 months, but makes implementation and ongoing operation subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for that specific purpose (i.e., subject to appropriation). Department may adapt rules and must explain deviations from Early Head Start standards in reports.

  • Working Connections Child Care (WCCC)

    • Delays planned income eligibility expansions by four years (as amended) and repeals some previously added expansions (e.g., expanded eligibility for certain child care employees and state‑registered apprentices).
    • Revises copayment schedules and directs DCYF to adopt a copayment model for higher income bands (including a cap of no greater than 7% of countable income for certain households), and to adopt rules requiring prospective payments to providers under specified conditions.
    • Removes a provision that delayed the start of a family’s 12‑month WCCC authorization until the child was expected to begin care.

  • Provider supports and studies

    • Makes certain provider supports subject to appropriation.
    • Requires DCYF to publish a biennial “cost of quality” child care and market‑rate study.
    • Requires DCYF to partner with a school district and a metropolitan park district on a pilot to increase access to school‑age‑only child care programs.

  • Statutory housekeeping

    • Amends and reenacts several RCW sections, adds new sections, and repeals a small set of existing RCW provisions related to Birth‑to‑Three and other programs. Some program rules are explicitly identified as subject to appropriation.

Who is affected

  • Children eligible for ECEAP (and their families), especially low‑income, homeless, tribal, and children with special needs.
  • Families and households that receive or may apply for WCCC subsidies.
  • Child care and early learning providers (school districts, community‑based providers, Early Achievers participants), who will see changes to funding timing, eligibility rules, and provider payment practices.
  • Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) — new rulemaking, reporting, study, and pilot responsibilities.
  • Workforce cohorts (child care employees, apprentices): some expanded eligibility provisions were repealed.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Effective date for the act: July 1, 2025.
  • ECEAP full implementation (entitlement for eligible children): delayed to 2030–31 school year.
  • Some ECEAP eligibility changes were advanced to July 1, 2025 (from July 1, 2026).
  • Many program expansions and the Birth‑to‑Three pilot remain conditional on appropriations; DCYF must follow rulemaking and reporting requirements established by the bill.

For exact statutory language, affected RCW sections, and specific copayment figures or phased dates, refer to the enrolled bill (Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5752, Chapter 412, 2025 Laws).

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

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