Bill would exempt school‑based ECAP and Head Start from separate childcare licensing, advocates say it will reduce delays

Engrossed House Bill 23‑17 would treat school‑day ECAP programs and Head Start programs located on public school or community and technical college property as not an "agency" for childcare licensing purposes, exempting them from separate DCYF licensing requirements.

Sponsor Representative Carolyn Eslick said the bill addresses redundant permitting and licensing barriers that can take months, require costly upgrades and reduce available slots. Eslick and witnesses told the committee the exemption would cut duplication where a school already provides oversight and would help expand access to early learning slots.

Katie Warren, deputy director of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECAP, said nonprofit providers face an inequity when operating on school property because they must pursue full licensing while district‑run school‑day classrooms do not. She said surveys and preliminary outreach show potential interest to expand over 2,000 ECAP slots if barriers are reduced.

Christine Wilson of the Opportunity Council gave specific examples of programs that lost families or reduced capacity while a full licensing process took three months. Witnesses acknowledged questions about outdoor play areas designed for older children and said the committee may want to review playground safety standards specific to preschool‑age children.

Staff said DCYF reported no fiscal impact in the original fiscal note. Committee members and advocates said the change is a limited, targeted exemption that seeks to preserve safety while removing unnecessary duplication that delays services.