As spring approaches and our days begin to get longer and brighter, we also pass into the second half of the legislative session and hopefully toward a brighter future for our state’s children. February 24 marked the fiscal cut-off for the 2023 legislative session, meaning that bills that cost the state money had to be passed out of their committees. As a result, it is becoming clearer which bills that benefit Washington’s kids and families have the support of our state lawmakers.
Increasing access to child care
We know that access to high quality early learning is essential for our children’s development and their caregivers’ ability to go to work. Yet, we do not have enough early learning educators to meet demand. That’s why we’re encouraged to see Senate Bill 5316 continue to make progress. This bill would reduce the financial burden on child care providers by eliminating the requirement to cover the cost of mandatory backgrounds for their staff. It would also allow educators to enter the classroom sooner by allowing those who pass an initial screening to begin work while their full background check continues to process.
Another crucial aspect of expanding access to child care is to make it more affordable for working families. Senate Bill 5225, which will expand child care subsidies to undocumented and mixed status families, child care employees, and families in therapeutic courts, and House Bill 1525, which extends child care subsidies to individuals enrolled in apprenticeships, do just that. We will continue to support these bills as they move through the legislative process so that more of Washington’s families can get the care that they need.
Addressing the behavioral health workforce crisis
We all want our children to grow up experiencing their optimal health. But young people in our state continue to struggle with mental health challenges at rates higher than the national average and there are not enough mental health care providers to get them the help they need. We are heartened to see that addressing the behavioral health workforce crisis has been a top bipartisan priority for the legislature this year. Multiple bills are moving through the legislature that would have a positive impact in this area including House Bill 1724, which would add capacity to the workforce by removing barriers to entry, and Senate Bill 5189 which would establish behavioral health support specialists.
Increasing access to dental care for kids and families
Photo courtesy Children’s Alliance
A healthy mouth and teeth are essential components of a child’s well-being. However, far too many children in Washington state cannot get the critical oral health care they need. Across the state, our dental care system is failing children and working parents in low-income families and communities of color. Dental therapists are a proven way to connect life-saving oral health care to communities that need it, especially for the kids and families that have been left behind by our state’s health care system. Children’s Alliance has long supported expanding the practice of dental therapy, which has been authorized on Tribal lands since 2017. We are excited that House Bill 1678, which would allow dental therapists to practice in more community-based healthcare settings, is looking likely to pass an upcoming vote on the House floor.
Speak up for what matters to you
The legislative session often feels like a marathon, and we are powering into the second half. There is still lots of time for you to speak up about the issues that matter to you.
Children’s Alliance recently launched our new website featuring an updated action center, where you can connect directly with your lawmakers, and a bill tracker detailing the status of all our priority bills.
If you would like to get involved in this work, please reach out to the Children’s Alliance team. Your voice is the most powerful tool in influencing your legislators and making a difference for Washington kids.
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