Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2317: Early learning licensing
Status: Signed into law, March 14, 2026
Concerning early learning program licensing requirements.
What the bill says
An act Relating to early learning program licensing requirements; and amending RCW 43.216.010.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to early learning program licensing requirements; and amending RCW 43.216.010. Sec. 1. RCW 43.216.010 and 2025 c 181 s 1 are each amended to read as follows: The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Agency" means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, or facility that provides child care and early learning services outside a child's own home and includes the following irrespective of whether there is compensation to the (b) "Early learning" includes but is not limited to programs and services for child care; state, federal, private, and nonprofit preschool; child care subsidies; child care resource and referral; parental education and support; and training and professional development for early learning professionals; (c) "Family day care provider" and "family home provider" mean a child care provider who regularly provides early childhood education and early learning services for not more than 12 children at any given time in the provider's home in the family living quarters except as provided in RCW 43.216.692 and subsection (2)(((m)))(n) of this section; (d) "Nongovernmental private-public partnership" means an entity registered as a nonprofit corporation in Washington state with a primary focus on early learning, school readiness, and parental support, and an ability to raise a minimum of $5,000,000 in contributions; (e) "Outdoor nature-based child …
Sponsors
- Carolyn Eslick (R) · primary sponsor
- Lisa Callan (D)
- Peter Abbarno (R)
- Liz Berry (D)
- Cindy Ryu (D)
- Jeremie Dufault (R)
- Dave Paul (D)
- Greg Nance (D)
- Janice Zahn (D)
- Beth Doglio (D)
- Tom Dent (R)
- Nicole Macri (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 54, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 4, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education: Do pass (February 24, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Passage on Reconsideration (February 11, 2026): 96 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 11, 2026): 94 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services: Do pass (January 23, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: CHILD CARE
Common questions
- What is HB2317?
- HB2317 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Early learning licensing.
- What does HB2317 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to early learning program licensing requirements; and amending RCW 43.216.010.
- What is the status of HB2317?
- Signed into law as of March 14, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2317?
- Carolyn Eslick (R), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2317?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2317&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.