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Committee hears bill exempting school‑based ECAP and Head Start from DCYF childcare licensing

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee · February 18, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

Supporters told the committee HB 23‑17 removes duplicative licensing requirements for school‑day ECAP and Head Start classrooms located on public school or community college property, arguing it speeds service availability and reduces inequities for nonprofit providers; witnesses gave operational examples of months‑long licensing delays.

Engrossed House Bill 23‑17 would exempt school‑day ECAP programs and Head Start classrooms located on the premises of public school buildings or community and technical colleges from Washington’s DCYF childcare licensing requirements, supporters told the Senate education committee.

Eili Cotto, committee staff, said the bill defines those school‑based ECAP and Head Start programs as not an "agency" for childcare licensing purposes when they…

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