Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 9 D cosponsors

SB 5509 — Concerning the siting of child care centers.

Last action — Effective date 7/27/2025.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 27, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Bob Ferguson (Democratic) on May 13, 2025.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 82% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 9 sponsors

    1 primary, 8 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (9 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

29 added · 49 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill SB 5509 simplifies regulations regarding child care centers by allowing them as an outright permitted use in all zones, except for industrial zones, effectively expanding their availability in communities. Previously, the bill included more restrictions, such as prohibiting child care centers in light industrial zones and open spaces, which could limit access for families in those areas. Additionally, the timeline for cities to implement these changes has been shortened, now requiring action within one year after their next comprehensive plan update, instead of potentially waiting longer. This change matters because it aims to improve access to child care facilities, making it easier for families to find care in various neighborhoods.

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Latest
ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5509 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senate Local Government (originally sponsored by Senators Alvarado, Salomon, Bateman, Conway, Nobles, Saldaña, Trudeau, Valdez, and C.
S-0867.1 SENATE BILL 5509 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senators Alvarado, Salomon, Bateman, Conway, Nobles, Saldaña, Trudeau, Valdez, and C.
Wilson) READ FIRST TIME 02/14/25.
Wilson Read first time 01/27/25.
Referred to Committee on Local Government.
(1) Cities and towns must allow child care centers, and the conversion of existing buildings for use as child care centers, as an outright permitted use in all zones except industrial zones, light industrial zones, and open space zones.
(1) Cities and towns must allow child care centers, and the conversion of existing buildings for use as child care centers, as an outright permitted use in all zones except industrial zones.
(3) Cities that plan under the growth management act and that are required to submit their next comprehensive plan update in 2027 pursuant to RCW 36.70A.130 must adopt or amend by ordinance, and incorporate into their development regulations, zoning regulations, and other official controls, the requirements of this section in their next comprehensive plan update.
(3) Cities must adopt or amend by ordinance, and incorporate into their development regulations, zoning regulations, and other official controls, the requirements in this section no later than one year after their next periodic comprehensive plan update required under RCW 36.70A.130, or within one year of the effective date of this section if not a city or town planning under chapter 36.70A RCW.
All other cities must implement the requirements of this section within two years of the effective date of this section.
p.
1 ESSB 5509 (4) Nothing in this section limits a city from allowing child care centers in other zones, including industrial zones or light industrial zones.
A city must provide for a conditional use approval of an on-site child care center in industrial or light industrial zones, except in or around high hazard facilities.
(5) For the purposes of this section, "child care centers" has the same meaning as in RCW 43.216.010.
(1) Code cities and towns must allow child care centers, and the conversion of existing buildings for use as child care centers, as an outright permitted use in all zones except industrial zones, light industrial zones, and open space zones.
p.
1 SB 5509 (1) Code cities and towns must allow child care centers, and the conversion of existing buildings for use as child care centers, as an outright permitted use in all zones except industrial zones.
(3) Code cities that plan under the growth management act and that are required to submit their next comprehensive plan update in 2027 pursuant to RCW 36.70A.130 must adopt or amend by ordinance, and incorporate into their development regulations, zoning regulations, and other official controls, the requirements of this section in their next comprehensive plan update.
(3) Code cities must adopt or amend by ordinance, and incorporate into their development regulations, zoning regulations, and other official controls, the requirements in this section no later than one year after their next periodic comprehensive plan update required under RCW 36.70A.130, or within one year of the effective date of this section if not a city or town planning under chapter 36.70A RCW.
All other code cities must implement the requirements of this section within two years of the effective date of this section.
(4) Nothing in this section limits a code city from allowing child care centers in other zones, including industrial zones or light industrial zones.
A code city must provide for a conditional use approval of an on-site child care center in industrial or light industrial zones, except in or around high hazard facilities.
(5) For the purposes of this section, "child care centers" has the same meaning as in RCW 43.216.010.
2 ESSB 5509
2 SB 5509
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Action History

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

  2. Chapter 276, 2025 Laws.

  3. Governor signed.

  4. Delivered to Governor.

  5. Speaker signed.

  6. President signed.

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  9. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  11. APP - Majority; do pass.

  12. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

  13. Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.

  14. Referred to Appropriations.

  15. LG - Majority; do pass.

  16. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:30 AM.

  17. Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:30 AM.

  18. First reading, referred to Local Government.

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 42; nays, 7; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  21. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

  22. 1st substitute bill substituted (LGV 25).

  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  25. Minority; without recommendation.

  26. Minority; do not pass.

  27. WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Local Government.

  28. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

  29. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.

  30. Referred to Ways & Means.

  31. And refer to Ways & Means.

  32. LGV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  33. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Local Government at 1:30 PM.

  34. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Local Government at 1:30 PM.

  35. First reading, referred to Local Government.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 8 co-sponsors · 142 not signed on · 7 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (8)

Not signed on (142)

142 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 142 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#13)

Passed 95 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 36002
Democrat 59001
Total 95003
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Adam Bernbaum Democrat Yea
Adison Richards Democrat Yea
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Alicia Rule Democrat Yea
Amy Walen Democrat Yea
April Berg Democrat Yea
Beth Doglio Democrat Yea
Brandy Donaghy Democrat Yea
Brianna Thomas Democrat Yea
Chipalo Street Democrat Yea
Chris Stearns Democrat Yea
Cindy Ryu Democrat Yea
Clyde Shavers Democrat Yea
Dan Bronoske Democrat Yea
Darya Farivar Democrat Yea
Dave Paul Democrat Yea
David Hackney Democrat Yea
Davina Duerr Democrat Yea
Debra Entenman Democrat Yea
Debra Lekanoff Democrat Not Voting
Edwin Obras Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Greg Nance Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Jamila Taylor Democrat Yea
Janice Zahn Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
Joe Timmons Democrat Yea
Julia Reed Democrat Yea
Kristine Reeves Democrat Yea
Larry Springer Democrat Yea
Lauren Davis Democrat Yea
Laurie Jinkins Democrat Yea
Lillian Ortiz-Self Democrat Yea
Lisa Callan Democrat Yea
Lisa Parshley Democrat Yea
Liz Berry Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Mary Fosse Democrat Yea
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Natasha Hill Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Osman Salahuddin Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharlett Mena Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shaun Scott Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Yea
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tarra Simmons Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Yea
Andrew Barkis Republican Yea
Andrew Engell Republican Yea
April Connors Republican Yea
Brian Burnett Republican Yea
Carolyn Eslick Republican Yea
Chris Corry Republican Yea
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Yea
Dan Griffey Republican Yea
David Stuebe Republican Yea
Deb Manjarrez Republican Yea
Drew Stokesbary Republican Yea
Ed Orcutt Republican Yea
Gloria Mendoza Republican Not Voting
Hunter Abell Republican Yea
Jenny Graham Republican Yea
Jeremie Dufault Republican Yea
Jim Walsh Republican Yea
Joe Schmick Republican Yea
Joel McEntire Republican Not Voting
John Ley Republican Yea
Joshua Penner Republican Yea
Kevin Waters Republican Yea
Mark Klicker Republican Yea
Mary Dye Republican Yea
Matt Marshall Republican Yea
Michael Keaton Republican Yea
Mike Steele Republican Yea
Mike Volz Republican Yea
Peter Abbarno Republican Yea
Rob Chase Republican Yea
Sam Low Republican Yea
Skyler Rude Republican Yea
Stephanie Barnard Republican Yea
Stephanie McClintock Republican Yea
Suzanne Schmidt Republican Yea
Tom Dent Republican Yea
Travis Couture Republican Yea

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#10)

Passed 42 Yea · 7 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 30000
Republican 12700
Total 42700
% of votes cast 86%14%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bill Ramos Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Claudia Kauffman Democrat Yea
Deborah Krishnadasan Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Emily Alvarado Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Jessica Bateman Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Yea
Curtis King Republican Yea
Drew MacEwen Republican Nay
Jeff Holy Republican Yea
Jeff Wilson Republican Nay
Jim McCune Republican Nay
John Braun Republican Yea
Judy Warnick Republican Yea
Keith Goehner Republican Yea
Keith Wagoner Republican Nay
Leonard Christian Republican Nay
Mark Schoesler Republican Yea
Matt Boehnke Republican Nay
Nikki Torres Republican Yea
Paul Harris Republican Yea
Perry Dozier Republican Yea
Phil Fortunato Republican Nay
Ron Muzzall Republican Yea
Shelly Short Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

housing education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5509?
SB 5509 is sponsored by Claire Wilson (Democrat), Yasmin Trudeau (Democrat), Rebecca Saldaña (Democrat), T'wina Nobles (Democrat), Steve Conway (Democrat), Jessica Bateman (Democrat), Jesse Salomon (Democrat), Emily Alvarado (Democrat), and Javier Valdez (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 5509?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 27, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 5509?
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