Official Text and Analysis.

Establishes a new account for child care and early learning purposes and includes a nonexhaustive list of allowable uses. • Increases eligibility and decreases copayments in the Working Connections Child Care Program and expands eligibility in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program.

Recommends the addition of supporting collectively bargained provisions or family child care providers and start-up grants for new child care or Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) sites as allowable uses of the Fair Start for Kids Account. Adds language that the union representative is from the largest union representing child care providers. Changes the date of ECEAP entitlement for Indian children from households under 100 percent state median income (SMI) from the 2020-21 school year to the 2026-27 school year. The committee recommended the addition of language providing that the act does not interfere with, impede, or in any way diminish the right of employees to collectively bargain. Removes the requirement that the Department of Children, Youth, and Families provide, or contract to provide, reflective supervision and professional development for Early Achievers coaches. Adds a null and void clause, making the bill null and void unless funded in the budget.

Requires the department of children, youth, and families to convene a task force with child care providers and certain representatives, facilitated by a neutral third party, to develop recommendations for providing regulatory relief and making the licensing process more affordable for child care providers. Requires the task force to report recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by December 1, 2021.

Delays the entitlement date for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) from the 2022-23 school year to the 2026-27 school year. Requires the legislature to add 1,000 additional ECEAP slots each year until the state reaches entitlement, and requires consideration of the high demand for school day and working day slots when determining what type of slots to add.

Requires the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to study and report biennially on the capacity to expand entitlement of the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program and the effectiveness of expanding entitlement. Expires the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program entitlement expansion on August 1, 2033.

Adds a new section providing extended periods for new child care providers to meet licensing requirements not directly related to health and safety.

Makes participation in the Early Achievers program voluntary for all child care and early providers..

Adds the military spouse liaison created within the Department of Veterans Affairs to the Early Learning Advisory Council. Changes the monthly copayment schedule for households eligible for Working Connections Child Care so that eligibility is "by" certain dates instead of "beginning" on certain dates. Restores part of the current statutory definition of "eligible child" for purposes of the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program entitlement. Provides that, working in conjunction with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and providers, the department will administer two complex needs funds. Replaces "child care aware of Washington" with "the statewide child care resource and referral network".

Makes Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) eligibility and other provisions effective July 1, 2021, instead of July 1, 2025..

• Establishes a new account for child care and early learning purposes and includes a nonexhaustive list of allowable uses. • Increases eligibility and decreases copayments in the Working Connections Child Care Program and expands eligibility in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program. • Provides for increased rates, training, grants, and services for child care and early learning providers. • Increases supports for families of children from birth to age 3, as well as for their providers.