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Committee reviews one‑year delay for licensing rules covering residential private schools
Summary
Senate Bill 5,506 would delay the negotiated rulemaking and effective date for licensing living accommodations at residential private schools from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026; proponents told the committee the one‑year extension allows DCYF, the State Board of Education, accrediting bodies and schools to finish negotiated rules and a pilot.
Senate Bill 5,506 was briefed to the Senate Human Services Committee on Feb. 4. Committee staff said the bill delays by one year the negotiated rulemaking and licensing requirements for living accommodations at residential private schools, moving the date from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026, and contains an emergency clause so the change would take effect immediately upon enactment.
Background: Legislation enacted in 2023 required living accommodations provided by residential private schools to be licensed by the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) effective July 1, 2025, unless the State Board of Education finds that a school's accreditor provides comparable standards. The 2023 law also directed DCYF to engage in negotiated rulemaking with the State Board and other stakeholders to adopt minimum health and safety rules.
Proponents told the committee they have largely completed negotiated rulemaking but need more time to finalize implementation. Susie Hanson, executive director of the Washington Federation of Independent Schools, said DCYF, the State Board of Education, accrediting agencies and schools have worked intensively, piloted aspects of implementation and asked for the one‑year extension to ensure a workable timeline. There was minimal discussion and no opposition testimony during the Feb. 4 hearing.
The committee did not take final action during the hearing; staff and the sponsor asked stakeholders to continue collaboration to finish rules and ensure compliance.
