Authorizing local licensing and regulation of child care providers.

HB 1033 allows counties in Washington to create and enforce their own licensing and regulatory rules for child care centers and family home providers, beginning July 1, 2026. Counties must meet specific minimum requirements covering facility safety, staff qualifications, child well-being, and record-keeping before adopting local rules. Once implemented, counties - not the state department - will handle licensing and regulation for these providers, with counties required to report quarterly to the state about their rules and licensed providers. The state department will no longer regulate these providers or bear liability for their operations, though it will provide technical assistance and ensure locally licensed providers can access state child care subsidy programs.