Lawmakers consider rebasing childcare subsidy regions to reflect post‑2009 growth

Committee staff briefed House Bill 2607, which would direct the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to rebase childcare subsidy rate regions every four years beginning Aug. 1, 2026. The rebasing would incorporate updated market rate survey data and factors such as area median income, cost-of-living by ZIP code, and groupings by rural/suburban/urban categories, with the department encouraged to use geographic units smaller than counties when appropriate. A hold‑harmless provision would prevent providers from receiving a lower base subsidy rate only because of rebasing.

Jordan Clark (staff) said federal rules require MRS surveys and that current rates were last rebased or regionally set more than a decade ago; staff noted the enacted 25-27 budget includes funding to raise center rates and that a rebase could be consequential for regions with rapid growth. Representative Connors, introducing the bill, emphasized the Tri‑Cities example where Benton and Franklin counties have materially different base rates for similar services and asked the committee to support a rebase to reflect changed local conditions.

Local childcare providers and community organizations (Jerome Delvin, Benton County commissioner; Brian Ace, Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties) testified that uniform staffing and program costs across the river create inequities when reimbursement differs by county; they asked for regular reviews so subsidies match local market conditions and preserve slots for families.