(1) The Washington state child care workforce standards board is created with the powers and duties established by law. The board is composed of members appointed by the governor as provided in this subsection:
(a) Three members who represent child care workers, subject to the following:
(i) One member must be appointed from a list of at least three names submitted by the largest organization representing family child care providers;
(ii) One member must be appointed from a list of at least three names submitted by the largest organization representing child care center workers; and
(iii) One member must represent workers in school-age programs;
(b) Three members who represent child care employers or employer organizations, with at least one representing child care family home providers and one representing a small business of 15 or fewer employees;
(c) One representative of a professional development or training program for child care workers;
(d) One representative of an organization representing parents; and
(e) The secretary of the department of children, youth, and families and the director of the department of labor and industries, or their designees.
(2) Board members appointed under subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this section shall serve four-year terms following the initial staggered lot determination in subsection (3) of this section and must not be appointed to more than two full consecutive four-year terms. The governor shall fill vacancies occurring prior to the expiration of a member's term by appointment for the unexpired term. A member serves until a successor is appointed.
(3)(a) The governor must make initial appointments to the board no later than September 1, 2026. The initial terms for board members appointed under subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section must be determined by lot as follows:
(i) One member appointed under subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section shall serve a two-year term;
(ii) One member appointed under subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section shall serve a three-year term; and
(iii) One member appointed under subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this section shall serve a four-year term.
(b) The director must convene the first meeting of the board by October 1, 2026. The board must elect a chair at its first meeting.
(4) The board shall elect a member by majority vote to serve as its chairperson and shall determine the term to be served by the chairperson.
(5) Board members must be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.220 and must be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
(6) The affirmative vote of six board members is required for the board to approve recommendations.
(7) To carry out its duties, the board shall hold public hearings that include public comment on, gather data on, and conduct investigations into, working conditions in the child care industry in accordance with RCW 49.98.040.
(8) The director may employ personnel to carry out duties of the board under this chapter.
(9) The director shall provide administrative staff support to the board.
(10) The board shall establish operating procedures that meet all state and federal antitrust requirements and may prohibit board member access to data to meet the requirements of this subsection.
[ 2026 c 148 s 3.]