S-3828.2
SENATE BILL 6212
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2026 Regular Session
By Senators Nobles, Alvarado, Cortes, Hunt, Kauffman, Lovelett, Saldaña, Trudeau, Valdez, and C. Wilson
Read first time 01/19/26. Referred to Committee on Human Services.
AN ACT Relating to creating a families with children benefit pilot program; amending RCW 74.04.005 , 43.216.802 , 26.19.071 , and 70.170.060 ; reenacting and amending RCW 10.101.010 ; adding a new section to chapter 43.216 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 43.330 RCW; 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, in 2021, the United States implemented a universal child benefit for the first time in its history. Evidence from that period demonstrates that the benefit reduced child poverty by approximately 46 percent within one year and produced positive outcomes related to income inequality and childhood well-being across demographic groups. The legislature further finds that the discontinuation of this universal child benefit after one year resulted in a sharp and immediate increase in child poverty.
(2) The legislature recognizes the substantial benefits that a universal child benefit can provide to children and families, including improvements in physical health and immune system strength, increased life satisfaction and overall happiness, greater resilience to stress and economic instability, improved capacity for parental work performance and productivity, and enhanced sense of stability, purpose, and well-being within households.