Senate bill would let DOD‑certified military family childcare operate off base without state license

Senate Bill 5,545 would exempt family home childcare providers that are overseen and certified by a federal military service from Washington's state childcare licensing requirements when those providers care only for military children.

The measure was introduced at a hearing before the Washington State Senate Education Committee on May 20. “These are only for children of military, whose parents are working in the military,” sponsor State Senator Marcus said, adding that about 17 other states have similar provisions and that the goal is to increase access for military families that live off base.

Committee staff described current law that makes it unlawful for an agency to care for children unless licensed by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Staff clarified that agencies include family home providers that regularly care for up to 12 children and that state law already exempts programs located on federal military reservations. The bill would extend an exemption to family home providers located off a reservation if they are overseen and certified by a federal military service. A fiscal note had been requested but was not available at the time of the hearing, staff said.

Tammy Perot of the Department of Defense told the committee most DOD‑certified military family childcare providers also hold state licenses, but that an exemption would align off‑base providers with on‑base practice and expand options for families. “Seventy percent of our military families live off of the installation,” Perot said, noting a slightly higher share in Washington. She also said coordination with DCYF would be needed to ensure the agency could investigate any reports of abuse or neglect.

Jake Mason, who represents Greater Spokane Incorporated, testified the measure would help workforce participation by increasing childcare access around Fairchild and other bases. Mason said the business community supports the bill because additional childcare enables more parents to remain in the workforce.

No fiscal estimate was available during the hearing. Senators on the committee asked sponsors to work with DCYF on language to preserve the agency’s access for investigations and to clarify location-based limits for the exemption. The bill’s prime sponsor and witnesses said they are working with the agency on those points.

The committee recessed to an executive session later in the meeting to consider multiple bills, but the hearing record for SB 5,545 closed after testimony from the sponsor, DoD, and regional business and childcare representatives.