SHB 2689 — Concerning the working connections child care program.

What this bill does

Requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to stop accepting new entries to the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) program, with some exceptions, from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. Requires the DCYF, beginning January 1, 2027, to manage the WCCC program so that the average monthly caseload does not exceed 33,000 households except for certain families who must always be allowed access. Sets WCCC subsidy rates at the 75th percentile of market, beginning July 1, 2026, as established by the most recent market rate survey available before the bill's effective date, except for family child care providers who will continue to be paid the subsidy base rate bargained in the 2025-27 enacted collective bargaining agreement until a new market rate survey is available to inform rate increases at the 75th percentile of the market. Repeals the requirement that the DCYF pay child care providers prospectively based on when child care is expected to begin.

From the Washington State Legislature's nonpartisan staff bill analysis. Read the full analysis ↗

Floor votes

• House — 3rd Reading & Final Passage · March 4, 2026
  53 yea · 44 nay · 1 not voting
• House — Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · March 11, 2026
  51 yea · 45 nay · 2 not voting
• Senate — 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · March 11, 2026
  33 yea · 16 nay

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