Expanding the early childhood court program.

 H-0315.1

HOUSE BILL 1659

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2025 Regular Session

By Representatives Timmons, Reed, Ramel, and Goodman

Read first time 01/28/25. Referred to Committee on Early Learning & Human Services.

AN ACT Relating to expanding the early childhood court program; amending RCW 2.30.100 ; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that the early childhood court program has federal funding through September 2027 and is currently not operating at capacity. Expanding access to early childhood courts ensures that these funds can be used to serve more families in the dependency system.

(2) The legislature further finds that courts need clarification that they may use early childhood court funding to provide upstream supports, services, and resources to families at risk of entering the dependency system should they elect to do so.