HB 1945 — Streamlining and enhancing program access for persons eligible for food assistance.

(a) ((Above)) The child's family income is above one hundred ten percent but less than or equal to one hundred thirty percent of the federal poverty level;

((or)) (b) ((Above)) The child's family income is above one hundred thirty percent but less than or equal to two hundred percent of the federal poverty level if the child meets at least one of the risk factor criterion described in subsection (2) of this section;

or (c) Beginning November 1, 2024, the child is not eligible under RCW 43.216.505 and is a member of an assistance unit that is eligible for or is receiving basic food benefits under the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program or the state food assistance program.

(2) Children enrolled in the early childhood education and assistance program pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of this section must be prioritized for available funded slots according to a prioritization system adopted in rule by the department that p.

5 SHB 1945 considers risk factors that have a disproportionate effect on kindergarten readiness and school performance, including:

(a) Family income as a percent of the federal poverty level;

(b) Homelessness;

(c) Child welfare system involvement;

(d) Developmental delay or disability that does not meet the eligibility criteria for special education described in RCW 28A.155.020;

(e) Domestic violence;

(f) English as a second language;

(g) Expulsion from an early learning setting;

(h) A parent who is incarcerated;

(i) A parent with a substance use disorder or mental health treatment need;

and (j) Other risk factors determined by the department to be linked by research to school performance.

(3) The department shall adopt rules that allow a child to enroll in the early childhood education and assistance program, as space is available, when the child is not eligible under RCW 43.216.505 and the child turns three years old at any time during the school year when the child:

(a) Has a family income at or below two hundred percent of the federal poverty level or meets at least one risk factor criterion adopted by the department in rule;

and (b) Has received services from or participated in:

(i) The early support for infants and toddlers program;

(ii) The early head start or a successor federal program providing comprehensive services for children from birth through two years of age;

or (iii) The birth to three early childhood education and assistance program, if such a program is established.

(4) Children enrolled in the early childhood education and assistance program under this section are not considered eligible children as defined in RCW 43.216.505 and are not considered to be part of the state-funded entitlement required in RCW 43.216.556.

Sec.

RCW 43.216.512 and 2021 c 199 s 205 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department shall adopt rules that allow the enrollment of children in the early childhood education and assistance program, as p.

6 SHB 1945 space is available, if the number of such children equals not more than 25 percent of total statewide enrollment, when the child is not eligible under RCW 43.216.505 and ((whose)):

(a) Has a family income level ((is)) above 36 percent of the state median income but at or below 50 percent of the state median income adjusted for family size and the child meets at least one of the risk factor criterion described in subsection (2) of this section;

or (b) Is a member of an assistance unit that is eligible for or is receiving basic food benefits under the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program or the state food assistance program.

(2) Children enrolled in the early childhood education and assistance program pursuant to this section must be prioritized for available funded slots according to a prioritization system adopted in rule by the department that considers risk factors that have a disproportionate effect on kindergarten readiness and school performance, including:

(a) Family income as a percent of the state median income;

(b) Child welfare system involvement;

(c) Eligible for services under part C of the federal individuals with disabilities education act but not eligible for services under part B of the federal individuals with disabilities education act;

(d) Domestic violence;

(e) English as a second language;

(f) Expulsion from an early learning setting;

(g) A parent who is incarcerated;

(h) A parent with a behavioral health treatment need;

and (i) Other risk factors determined by the department to be linked by research to school performance.

(3) Children enrolled in the early childhood education and assistance program under this section are not considered eligible children as defined in RCW 43.216.505 and are not considered to be part of the state-funded entitlement required in RCW 43.216.556.

(4) This section expires August 1, 2030.

Sec.

5.

(1) Within resources available under the federal preschool development grant birth to five grant award received in December 2018, the department shall develop a plan for phased implementation p.of a birth to three early childhood education and assistance program pilot project for eligible children under thirty-six months old.

7 SHB 1945 of a birth to three early childhood education and assistance program pilot project for eligible children under thirty-six months old.

(3)(a)p. Upon securing adequate funds to begin implementation, the pilot project programs must be delivered through child care centers and family home providers who meet minimum licensing standards and are enrolled in the early achievers program.

6 HB 1945 (3)(a) Upon securing adequate funds to begin implementation, the pilot project programs must be delivered through child care centers and family home providers who meet minimum licensing standards and are enrolled in the early achievers program.

(5) ((To))To Until November 1, 2024, to be eligible for the birth to three early childhood education and assistance program, a child's((child's family income must be at or below one hundred thirty percent of the federal poverty level and the child must be under thirty-six months old.old)) child must be under 36 months old and either:

Beginning November 1, 2024, to be eligible for the birth to three early childhood education and assistance program, a child must be under 36 months old and either:

p.(6) Beginning November 1, 2020, and each November 1st thereafter during pilot project activity, the department shall submit an annual report to the governor and legislature that includes a status update that describes the planning work completed, the status of funds secured, and any implementation activities of the pilot project.

8 SHB 1945 (6) Beginning November 1, 2020, and each November 1st thereafter during pilot project activity, the department shall submit an annual report to the governor and legislature that includes a status update that describes the planning work completed, the status of funds secured, and any implementation activities of the pilot project.

6.5.

(2)p. The department may adopt rules to implement the program and may waive or adapt early childhood education and assistance program requirements when necessary to allow for the operation of the birth to three early childhood education and assistance program.

7 HB 1945 (2) The department may adopt rules to implement the program and may waive or adapt early childhood education and assistance program requirements when necessary to allow for the operation of the birth to three early childhood education and assistance program.

p.NEW SECTION.

9 SHB 1945 NEW SECTION.

7.6.

SectionSections 2 and 4 of this act takesexpire effectJuly August 1, 2030.2026.

Sections 4 and 6 of this act take effect July 1, 2026.

8.7.

Sections 3 and 5 of this act expiretake effect July 1, 2026.

108 SHBHB 1945