WashingtonChild care centers can combine age groups under staffing safeguards
Washington child care centers can combine ages for limited daily periods while following the staffing and group-size limits for the youngest child.
What it does
Child care centers can mix ages for up to 2.5 hours daily, or four hours if at least 90 minutes are reserved for staff breaks. Staffing and group-size limits must match the youngest child.
Providers and workers can skip repeat state orientation if they completed it less than five years ago, stayed in licensed child care work, and the orientation and licensing process have not substantially changed.
Licensed child care spaces must be free of high-potency synthetic opioids, drug-making equipment, and drug paraphernalia. Opioids or drug-making equipment trigger immediate license suspension. This section does not itself authorize private lawsuits.
Argument forWorkers who meet the waiver rules could save time by avoiding repeat orientation when the training and licensing process remain largely unchanged.
Argument againstCombining ages could make it harder for staff to plan activities that fit each child's age, even with staffing safeguards.
More detail
State licensing rules must let child care centers combine children of different ages for limited periods. Child care centers set their own schedules for these periods. The combined group must follow the staffing and group-size limits for its youngest child. The four-hour option requires at least 90 minutes reserved for staff meal and rest breaks. The law took effect June 11, 2026. The grouping limits apply each day.
The state child care licensing agency must waive repeat state-provided orientation for people who meet all three conditions. The waiver covers the orientation required before service in an early learning program. The person must have completed the applicable orientation less than five years ago. The orientation content and licensing process must not have substantially changed since completion. The person must have had no break in service as a licensed child care provider or worker in a licensed child care facility. The orientation waiver took effect June 11, 2026.
The state child care licensing agency must immediately suspend a license when high-potency synthetic opioids or drug-making equipment are present. The safety rules cover all licensed child care settings. The suspension trigger applies to the licensed facility or program space. Drug paraphernalia is also prohibited, but its presence alone is not listed as a trigger for immediate suspension. The section does not itself give people a right to sue. The law took effect June 11, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 17Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 17Chapter 82, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 17Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 11President signed.Major
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 9Passed final passage; yeas, 67; nays, 28; absent, 0; excused, 3.Passed House
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#10). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 9House concurred in Senate amendments.
- Mar 3Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#5). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 3Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 3Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
- Feb 27Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 25Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 25EDU - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).Minor
- Feb 25Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 19Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 18First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education.Minor
- Feb 16Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#21). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 16Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 16Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Feb 161st substitute bill substituted (ELHS 26).Major
- Feb 6Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Jan 27Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Jan 23ELHS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Jan 23Executive action taken in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 14Public hearing in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 12First reading, referred to Early Learning & Human Services.Minor
- 2025
- Dec 30Prefiled for introduction.Introduced
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