reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WA Rev Code § 43.216.579 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.579 - Infant child care incentives.

RCW 43.216.579 Infant child care incentives.(1) The legislature finds that our state suffers from an extreme shortage of infant child care, impacting the ability of parents to participate in the workforce. Further, parents returning to work after using paid family leave to care for a new child struggle to find readily available, high quality care during a time of critical growth and brain development for young children. Therefore, the legislature intends to incentivize the provision of high quality infant care.(2) Beginning July 1, 2022, the department shall provide an infant rate enhancement for licensed or certified child care providers and birth to three early childhood education and assistance program contractors who are:(a) Accepting state subsidy;(b) In good standing with the early achievers quality rating and improvement system; and(c) Caring for a child between the ages of birth and 11 months.(3) The department must adopt rules to implement this section.[ 2021 c 199 § 404.]NOTES:Findings—Intent—2021 c 199 §§ 402-405: See note following RCW 43.216.577.Short title—Findings—Intent—Conflict with federal requirements—2021 c 199: See notes following RCW 43.216.770.
WA Rev Code § 43.216.580 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.580 - Early intervention services—Funding.

RCW 43.216.580 Early intervention services—Funding.(1) The department is the state lead agency for Part C of the federal individuals with disabilities education act. The department shall administer the early support for infants and toddlers program, to provide early intervention services to all eligible children with disabilities from birth to three years of age. Eligibility shall be determined according to Part C of the federal individuals with disabilities education act or other applicable federal and state laws, and as specified in the Washington Administrative Code adopted by the department. Services provided under this section shall not supplant services or funding currently provided in the state for early intervention services to eligible children with disabilities from birth to three years of age.(2)(a) Funding for the early support for infants and toddlers program shall be appropriated to the department based on the annual average headcount of children ages birth to three who are eligible for and receiving early intervention services, multiplied by the total statewide allocation generated by the distribution formula under RCW  28A.150.260 (4)(a), (5), (6), and (8) and the allocation under RCW  28A.150.415, per the statewide full-time equivalent enrollment in common schools, multiplied by 1.15.(b) The department shall distribute funds to early intervention services providers, and, when appropriate, to county lead agencies.(c) For the purposes of this subsection (2), a child is receiving early intervention services if the child has received services within a month prior to the monthly count day.(3) Federal funds associated with Part C of the federal individuals with disabilities education act shall be subject to payor of last resort requirements pursuant to 34 C.F.R. Sec. 303.510 (2020) for birth-to-three early intervention services provided under this section.(4) The services in this section are not part of the state's program of basic education pursuant to Article IX of the state Constitution.[ 2020 c 90 § 1; 2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 § 216; 2016 c 57 § 3; 2007 c 115 § 7; 2006 c 269 § 2. Formerly RCW 28A.155.065.]NOTES:Effective date—2020 c 90: "This act takes effect September 1, 2020." [ 2020 c 90 § 10.]Effective date—2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 §§ 102, 104-115, 201-227, 301-337, 401-419, 501-513, 801-803, and 805-822: See note following RCW 43.216.025.Conflict with federal requirements—2017 3rd sp.s. c 6: See RCW 43.216.908.Finding—2006 c 269: "The legislature finds an urgent and substantial need to enhance the development of all infants and toddlers with disabilities in Washington in order to minimize developmental delays and to maximize individual potential for learning and functioning." [ 2006 c 269 § 1.]
WA Rev Code § 43.216.585 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.585 - Program rates.

RCW 43.216.585 Program rates. (Expires June 30, 2027.)(1) For the 2021-22 school year, rates for the early childhood education and assistance program must be set at a level at least 10 percent higher than the rates established in section 225, chapter 415, Laws of 2019.(2) It is the intent of the legislature that rate increases shall be informed by the department's 2020 early childhood education and assistance program rate study.(3) This section expires June 30, 2027.[ 2021 c 199 § 302.]NOTES:Short title—Findings—Intent—Conflict with federal requirements—2021 c 199: See notes following RCW 43.216.770.
WA Rev Code § 43.216.587 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.587 - Complex needs funds.

RCW 43.216.587 Complex needs funds.(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall administer two complex needs funds to promote inclusive, least restrictive environments and to support contractors and providers serving children who have developmental delays, disabilities, behavioral needs, or other unique needs. The department shall work collaboratively with the office of the superintendent of public instruction and providers to best serve children. One fund must support early childhood education and assistance program contractors and providers and birth to three early childhood education and assistance program contractors and providers, and one fund must support licensed or certified child care providers and license-exempt child care programs.(2) Support may include staffing, programming, therapeutic services, and equipment or technology support. Additional support may include activities to assist families with children expelled or at risk of expulsion from child care, and to help families transition in and out of child care.[ 2021 c 199 § 303.]NOTES:Short title—Findings—Intent—Conflict with federal requirements—2021 c 199: See notes following RCW 43.216.770.
WA Rev Code § 43.216.590 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.590 - Trauma-informed care supports.

RCW 43.216.590 Trauma-informed care supports.(1) Beginning July 1, 2022, the department shall provide supports to aid eligible providers in providing trauma-informed care. Trauma-informed care supports may be used by eligible providers for the following purposes:(a) Additional compensation for individual staff who have an infant and early childhood mental health or other child development specialty credential;(b) Trauma-informed professional development and training;(c) The purchase of screening tools and assessment materials;(d) Supportive services for children with complex needs that are offered as fee-for-service within local communities; or(e) Other related expenses.(2) The department must adopt rules to implement this section.(3) For the purposes of this section, "eligible provider" means: (a) An employee or owner of a licensed or certified child care center or outdoor nature-based care accepting state subsidy; (b) an employee or owner of a licensed family home provider accepting state subsidy; (c) a contractor or provider of the early childhood education and assistance program or birth to three early childhood education and assistance program; (d) a license-exempt child care program; or (e) an early achievers coach.[ 2021 c 199 § 304.]NOTES:Short title—Findings—Intent—Conflict with federal requirements—2021 c 199: See notes following RCW 43.216.770.
WA Rev Code § 43.216.592 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.592 - Dual language designation—Rate enhancement.

RCW 43.216.592 Dual language designation—Rate enhancement.(1) Beginning July 1, 2022, the department shall establish a dual language designation and provide subsidy rate enhancements or site-specific grants for licensed or certified child care providers who are accepting state subsidy; early childhood education and assistance program contractors; or birth to three early childhood education and assistance program contractors. It is the intent of the legislature to allow uses of rate enhancements or site-specific grants to include increased wages for individual staff who provide bilingual instruction, professional development training, the purchase of dual language and culturally appropriate curricula and accompanying training programs, instructional materials, or other related expenses.(2) The department must consult with a culturally and linguistically diverse stakeholder advisory group to develop criteria for the dual language designation.(3) The department must adopt rules to implement this section.[ 2021 c 199 § 305.]NOTES:Short title—Findings—Intent—Conflict with federal requirements—2021 c 199: See notes following RCW 43.216.770.
WA Rev Code § 43.216.595 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.595 - Early childhood equity grants.

RCW 43.216.595 Early childhood equity grants.(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall distribute early childhood equity grants to eligible applicants. Eligible applicants include play and learn groups, licensed or certified child care centers and family home providers, license-exempt child care programs, and early childhood education and assistance program contractors. The equity grants are intended to serve as a step toward expanding access to early learning statewide and transforming Washington's early learning system to make it more inclusive and equitable. The department shall administer the early childhood equity grants to support inclusive and culturally and linguistically specific early learning and early childhood and parent support programs across the state.(2) The department must conduct an equitable process to prioritize grant applications for early childhood equity grant assistance. An eligible applicant may receive an early childhood equity grant once every two years. When conducting the equitable grant process, the department must:(a) Solicit project applications from a racially and geographically diverse pool of eligible applicants statewide;(b) Provide application materials in the five most commonly spoken languages in the state and broadly communicate using a variety of strategies to reach diverse communities;(c) Require applicants to demonstrate their proposed uses of early childhood equity grant funds to incorporate either inclusive practices or culturally and linguistically supportive and relevant practices, or both, into early learning program design, delivery, education, training, and evaluation; and(d) Provide technical assistance to any applicant who needs it.[ 2021 c 199 § 307.]NOTES:Short title—Findings—Intent—Conflict with federal requirements—2021 c 199: See notes following RCW 43.216.770.
WA Rev Code § 43.216.597 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.597 - Play and learn groups—Resources and supports.

RCW 43.216.597 Play and learn groups—Resources and supports.Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department, in consultation with community-based programs, shall provide or contract to provide, or both, resources and supports for inclusive and culturally and linguistically relevant play and learn groups. Play and learn groups offer parents and other caregivers culturally responsive opportunities to support their children's early learning, build relationships that reduce isolation and encourage socialization, and promote kindergarten readiness.[ 2021 c 199 § 310.]NOTES:Short title—Findings—Intent—Conflict with federal requirements—2021 c 199: See notes following RCW 43.216.770.
WA Rev Code § 43.216.600 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.600 - Professional development supports.

RCW 43.216.600 Professional development supports.(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall provide professional development supports to aid eligible providers in reaching the professional education and training standards adopted by the department. Professional development supports may include:(a) Department-required trainings for child care providers conducted by department-approved trainers;(b) Trainings for license-exempt family, friend, and neighbor child care providers conducted by department-approved trainers;(c) Early achievers scholarships;(d) Community-based training pathways and systems developed under RCW 43.216.755;(e) Supporting a nonprofit organization that provides relationship-based professional development support to family, friend, and neighbor caregivers, child care centers, and licensed family home providers, and their work to help providers start their businesses; and(f) Other professional development activities such as updating training content, data collection and reporting, trainer recruitment, retention, program monitoring, and trainings delivered by department-approved trainers on topics such as small business management, antibias and antiracist training, providing care for children with developmental disabilities, social-emotional learning, implementing inclusionary practices in early learning environments, infant and toddler care, dual language program development, and providing trauma-informed care.(2) For the purposes of this section, "eligible provider" means: (a) An owner of a licensed or certified child care center, licensed or certified outdoor nature-based care, or licensed family home provider accepting state subsidy; (b) an employee of a licensed or certified child care center, licensed or certified outdoor nature-based care, or a licensed family home provider; (c) a contractor or provider of the early childhood education and assistance program or birth to three early childhood education and assistance program; or (d) an early achievers coach.[ 2021 c 199 § 311.]NOTES:Short title—Findings—Intent—Conflict with federal requirements—2021 c 199: See notes following RCW 43.216.770.
WA Rev Code § 43.216.602 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.602 - Child care deserts grant program.

RCW 43.216.602 Child care deserts grant program. (Expires June 30, 2026.)(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall establish a grant program to expand child care in child care deserts. Grants must be used for one-time costs associated with the opening of a child care site, including program costs, for providers who are newly licensed or are in the process of becoming licensed.(2) The department must use the child care industry insights dashboard from the child care industry assessment as a tool to identify areas in which additional investments are needed in order to expand existing child care capacity to meet family demand and reduce child care deserts.(3) This section expires June 30, 2026.[ 2021 c 199 § 314.]NOTES:Short title—Findings—Intent—Conflict with federal requirements—2021 c 199: See notes following RCW 43.216.770.
WA Rev Code § 43.216.665 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.665 - Child care workers—Findings—Intent.

RCW 43.216.665 Child care workers—Findings—Intent.The legislature finds that as of 2000, child care workers in the state earned an average hourly wage of eight dollars and twenty-two cents, only fifty-eight percent received medical insurance through employers, only sixty-six percent received paid sick leave, and only seventy-three percent received paid vacation. The legislature further finds that low wages for child care workers create a barrier for individuals entering the profession, result in child care workers leaving the profession in order to earn a living wage in another profession, and make it difficult for child care workers to afford professional education and training. As a result, the availability of quality child care in the state suffers.The legislature intends to increase wages to child care workers through establishing a child care career and wage ladder that provides increased wages for child care workers based on their work experience, level of responsibility, and education. To the extent practicable within available funds, this child care career and wage ladder shall mirror the successful child care career and wage ladder pilot project operated by the state between 2000 and 2003. While it is the intent of the legislature to establish the vision of a statewide child care career and wage ladder that will enhance employment quality and stability for child care workers, the legislature also recognizes that funding allocations will determine the extent of statewide implementation of a child care career and wage ladder.[ 2005 c 507 § 1. Formerly RCW 43.215.500, 74.13.097.]
WA Rev Code § 43.216.670 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.670 - Child care provider rules review.

RCW 43.216.670 Child care provider rules review.In conjunction with child care providers and other early learning leaders, the department shall review and revise child care provider rules in order to emphasize the need for mutual respect among parents, providers, and state staff who enforce rules. Revised rules shall clearly focus on keeping children safe and improving early learning outcomes for children. The department shall develop a plan by July 2007 that outlines the process and timelines to complete the rules review. Nothing in this section changes the department's responsibility to collectively bargain over mandatory subjects.[ 2007 c 394 § 7. Formerly RCW 43.215.502.]NOTES:Finding—Declaration—Captions not law—2007 c 394: See notes following RCW 43.216.010.
WA Rev Code § 43.216.675 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.675 - Child care workers—Career and wage ladder.

RCW 43.216.675 Child care workers—Career and wage ladder.(1) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall establish a child care career and wage ladder in licensed child care centers that meet the following criteria: (a) At least ten percent of child care slots are dedicated to children whose care is subsidized by the state or any political subdivision thereof or any local government; (b) the center agrees to adopt the child care career and wage ladder, which, at a minimum, shall be at the same pay schedule as existed in the previous child care career and wage ladder pilot project; and (c) the center meets further program standards as established by rule pursuant to *section 4, chapter 507, Laws of 2005.The child care career and wage ladder shall include wage increments for levels of education, years of relevant experience, levels of work responsibility, relevant early childhood education credits, and relevant requirements in the state training and registry system.(2) The department shall establish procedures for the allocation of funds to implement the child care career and wage ladder among child care centers meeting the criteria identified in subsection (1) of this section. In developing these procedures, the department shall:(a) Review past efforts or administration of the child care career and wage ladder pilot project in order to take advantage of any findings, recommendations, or administrative practices that contributed to that pilot project's success;(b) Consult with stakeholders, including organizations representing child care teachers and providers, in developing an allocation formula that incorporates consideration of geographic and demographic distribution of child care centers adopting the child care career and wage ladder; and(c) Develop a system for prioritizing child care centers interested in adopting the child care career and wage ladder that is based on the criteria identified in subsection (1) of this section.(3) Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection (2) of this section, child care centers meeting the criteria in subsection (1) of this section located in urban areas of the department of social and health services region one shall receive a minimum of fifteen percent of the funds allocated through the child care career and wage ladder, and of these centers, child care centers meeting the criteria in subsection (1) of this section participating in the Spokane tiered reimbursement pilot project shall have first priority for child care career and wage ladder funding.[ 2006 c 265 § 205; 2005 c 507 § 2. Formerly RCW 43.215.505, 74.13.098.]NOTES:*Reviser's note: Section 4 of this act was vetoed.
WA Rev Code § 43.216.680 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 43 - State Government—Executive|Chapter 43.216 - Department of Children, Youth, and Families.|43.216.680 - Child care workers—Career and wage ladder—Wage increases.

RCW 43.216.680 Child care workers—Career and wage ladder—Wage increases.Child care centers adopting the child care career and wage ladder established pursuant to *RCW 43.215.505 shall increase wages for child care workers who have earned a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate as provided in RCW 28B.50.536, gain additional years of experience, or accept increasing levels of responsibility in providing child care, in accordance with the child care career and wage ladder. The adoption of a child care career and wage ladder shall not prohibit the provision of wage increases based upon merit. The department shall pay wage increments for child care workers employed by child care centers adopting the child care career and wage ladder established pursuant to *RCW 43.215.505 who earn early childhood education credits or meet relevant requirements in the state training and registry system, in accordance with the child care career and wage ladder.[ 2013 c 39 § 20; 2006 c 265 § 206; 2005 c 507 § 3. Formerly RCW 43.215.510, 74.13.099.]NOTES:*Reviser's note: RCW 43.215.505 was recodified as RCW 43.216.675 pursuant to 2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 § 821, effective July 1, 2018.