(1) It is the intent of the legislature to increase working families’ access to affordable, high quality child care and to support the expansion of the workforce to support businesses and the statewide economy.

(2) Beginning October 1, 2021, a family is eligible for working connections child care when the household’s annual income is at or below 60 percent of the state median income adjusted for family size and:

(a) The child receiving care is: (i) Less than 13 years of age; or (ii) less than 19 years of age and has a verified special need according to department rule or is under court supervision; and

(b) The household meets all other program eligibility requirements.

(3) Beginning July 1, 2025, a family is eligible for working connections child care when the household’s annual income is above 60 percent and at or below 75 percent of the state median income adjusted for family size and:

(a) The child receiving care is: (i) Less than 13 years of age; or (ii) less than 19 years of age and has a verified special need according to department rule or is under court supervision; and

(b) The household meets all other program eligibility requirements.

(4) Beginning July 1, 2027, and subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, a family is eligible for working connections child care when the household’s annual income is above 75 percent of the state median income and is at or below 85 percent of the state median income adjusted for family size and:

(a) The child receiving care is: (i) Less than 13 years of age; or (ii) less than 19 years of age and has a verified special need according to department rule or is under court supervision; and

(b) The household meets all other program eligibility requirements.

(5)(a) Beginning October 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023, the department must calculate a monthly copayment according to the following schedule:

If the household’s income is:	Then the household’s maximum monthly copayment is:
At or below 20 percent of the state median income	Waived to the extent allowable under federal law; otherwise, a maximum of $15
Above 20 percent and at or below 36 percent of the state median income	$65
Above 36 percent and at or below 50 percent of the state median income	$115 until December 31, 2021, and $90 beginning January 1, 2022
Above 50 percent and at or below 60 percent of the state median income	$115

(b) Beginning July 1, 2023, the department must calculate a monthly copayment according to the following schedule:

If the household’s income is:	Then the household’s maximum monthly copayment is:
At or below 20 percent of the state median income	Waived to the extent allowable under federal law; otherwise, a maximum of $15
Above 20 percent and at or below 36 percent of the state median income	$65
Above 36 percent and at or below 50 percent of the state median income	$90
Above 50 percent and at or below 60 percent of the state median income	$165

(c) Beginning July 1, 2025, the department must calculate a maximum monthly copayment of $215 for households with incomes above 60 percent and at or below 75 percent of the state median income.

(d) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall adopt a copayment model for households with annual incomes above 75 percent of the state median income and at or below 85 percent of the state median income. The model must calculate a copayment for each household that is no greater than seven percent of the household’s countable income within this income range.

(e) The department may adjust the copayment schedule to comply with federal law.

(6) The department must adopt rules to implement this section, including an income phase-out eligibility period.

(7) This section does not apply to households eligible for the working connections child care program under RCW 43.216.145 and 43.216.1364.

Findings—Intent—2023 c 222: See note following RCW 43.216.1364.

Effective date—2022 c 297: See note following RCW 43.79.565.

Effective date—2021 c 199 §§ 201, 202, 301, 309, and 504: “Sections 201, 202, 301, 309, and 504 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect July 1, 2021.” [ 2021 c 199 § 607.]

Short title—Findings—Intent—Conflict with federal requirements—2021 c 199: See notes following RCW 43.216.770.