Concerning early learning program licensing requirements.
HB 2317 amends Washington State's early learning program licensing rules by adding "outdoor nature-based child care" as a defined program type, requiring such programs to operate in approved outdoor spaces for at least four hours daily and follow a nature-based curriculum. It expands the definition of "early learning" to explicitly include services like preschool, child care subsidies, parent education, and nature-based programs. The bill clarifies exemptions for certain providers, including seasonal camps, military-affiliated programs, and nature-based programs meeting specific criteria, removing them from full licensing requirements. These changes directly affect child care centers, family providers, and early learning programs operating under state oversight.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 7, 2026
Signed Mar 14, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Engrossed Bill
→
Passed Legislature
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill text has been updated to reflect its final passage by both the House and Senate, including the specific dates and vote counts. This certification confirms the bill is now official law.
TECHNICAL
Added certification text confirming the bill passed the House on February 11, 2026, with 96 yeas and 0 nays.
Added certification text confirming the bill passed the Senate on March 4, 2026, with 48 yeas and 0 nays.
Added signature lines for the Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, Chief Clerk, and Secretary of State.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2026 · House Feb 11, 2026
How they voted
50–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 51
Mar 4, 2026
D
Democratic31
96% Yea
R
Republican20
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
28
Key actions
11
Committee
7
Mar 14, 2026
Signed into law
Governor signed.
executive
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (50-0-1)
senate
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
EDU - Majority; do pass.
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 8:00 AM.
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
ELHS - Majority; do pass.
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 8:00 AM.
lower
Jan 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 8:30 AM.
lower
1 primary · 15 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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