Committee hears bill to extend experience pathway for child‑care staff qualifications to 2028

The Early Learning and Human Services Committee heard House Bill 1082, which would change staff‑qualification timelines and expand experience‑based pathways for licensed child‑care providers, Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) staff told lawmakers.

O’Meara Harrington, a committee staff member, explained that current licensing rules generally require staff to earn early childhood education (ECE) credentials by Aug. 1, 2026, with alternative pathways such as the PACE community equivalent program and an experience‑based competency pathway for those with seven cumulative years of experience. "Under House Bill 1082, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families must allow childcare providers until at least August 1, 2028 to demonstrate experience based competency as an alternative to an early childhood education certificate," Harrington told the committee.

Why it matters: witnesses and provider representatives told the panel that the current timeline and credential requirements risk exacerbating worker shortages and that broad recognition of experience will help recruitment and retention. Testimony emphasized rural and private‑sector providers who say education requirements can push staff out of the field.

Key provisions and clarifications: HB 1082 would (1) extend the experience‑based competency deadline from Aug. 1, 2026 to at least Aug. 1, 2028; (2) allow qualifying employment without a break in service since Aug. 1, 2021 to count toward the experience‑based pathway in addition to the existing seven years of cumulative experience; (3) expand the experience‑based competency option to roles that otherwise require an ECE state certificate; (4) require DCYF to proactively recognize providers who already meet experience‑based competency as of the bill’s effective date; and (5) require DCYF to convene a stakeholder group and report to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2026 on strategies to improve verification and staff qualification processes.

Testimony: Carolyn S. Lake, state representative (39th District), described conversations with providers who feared losing staff under the earlier deadline and said the bill responds to persistent workforce concerns. Stephanie Smith, owner of Learning to Grow Child Care in Grays Harbor County, and Anna Smith, her assistant director, said they support the bill but urged clarifications so that short lapses in items such as CPR or food‑handler cards (for example during maternity leave or college breaks) would not disqualify experienced workers. Kate Breidenstein of the Imagine Institute and Amy Anderson of the Washington Child Care Centers Association emphasized that recognizing hands‑on experience respects adult learning styles and helps retain staff. Angel Camacho, a licensed family‑provider and director in Walla Walla, said allowing experience‑based recognition will help licensed providers compete with licensed‑exempt programs.

Questions from committee members focused on whether the experience pathway requires continuing education units or other verifiable training during the experience period; staff said that existing health and safety trainings remain a separate requirement and the bill does not remove them. Committee members also discussed the need for DCYF and community colleges to expand accessible, multilingual training pathways and supports, and for complementary workforce investments such as pay and benefits.

The hearing closed with no committee vote. DCYF and stakeholder work required by the bill would be the primary next steps if legislators advance the measure.