HB 1128 has PASSED through the WA House and heading to the Senate. This bill establishes a Child Care Workforce Standards Board: an unelected body with the power to mandate wages, benefit requirements, and "workplace standards" that you must follow to keep your license.

The Senate committee hearing is Friday morning February 20.

PNMA & WFIS advise a NO  vote on this bill - Your comment can be entered for the hearing on this Senate Page:

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1128&Year=2025&Initiative=false

The Crisis: The state is moving forward with this board—costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands in administrative fees—while simultaneously cutting and delaying the funding you were promised through the Fair Start for Kids Act with multiple budget cuts.

2SHB 1128

https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1128-S2.pdf

If this bill passes:

• Unfunded Mandates: You may be forced to pay higher wages or benefits without the state subsidy increases to cover them.

• Unelected Oversight: A 10-person board appointed by the Governor will have the power to set rules that supersede your current business model.  The SEIU 925 is positioned to recommend members for several seats.

• Business Closures: Small and family-owned providers will be the hardest hit by these new "one-size-fits-all" regulations.  The board would have a practice of investigating certain occupations and geographical areas.

Thank you to WCCA for a summary of impacts included in this post.