Concerning child care centers operated in existing buildings.

 S-1495.1

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5655

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2025 Regular Session

By Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Krishnadasan, Nobles, Slatter, and Wellman)

READ FIRST TIME 02/19/25.

AN ACT Relating to child care centers operated in existing buildings; amending RCW 43.216.265 ; adding a new section to chapter 19.27 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that there is a need for more child care services for working people. There is a public benefit when communities can use existing buildings rather than permitting new buildings to be built on open land. Churches are one type of building that often have rooms designed for education or care of children that are separate from the main sanctuary or congregational room. The legislature intends to clarify statutes so that building owners, and especially churches, are more likely to offer existing spaces for child care services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 19.27 RCW to read as follows: