The Washington State Senate has approved a bill extending the amount of time after which families are required to reapply for Working Connections Child Care. Until now, the state subsidized child care required a six-month re-authorization period. Senate Bill 6226, sponsored by Sen. David Frockt, adds six months to the period, in the hopes of improving stability for the children and reliability for the parents who rely on the care.

Sen. Frockt: “Moving to the 12 month authorization would have a number of effects that were very beneficial, both to the families and we think to the administrative savings to the state potentially and also program costs to the state.”

If a change in a family’s circumstances occurs, families will be required to re-apply for Working Connections. In addition, Frockt says the bill requires that families report household information, including income and employment information, to guard against fraud and abuse.