OLYMPIA — Bipartisan legislation expanding access to the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) for children from military families was heard Tuesday in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.
Senate Bill 5907, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would allow children from households with a military-member parent to enroll in ECEAP as space is available, even if they do not otherwise meet standard eligibility criteria.
Under current law, children whose family income is above 36% and at or below 50% of the state median income may enroll in ECEAP on a space-available basis if they meet at least one qualifying risk factor. SB 5907 adds eligibility for children from households with a military-member parent within those income thresholds and further expands eligibility to children from military families with incomes above 50% of state median income and up to the maximum income level for Working Connections Child Care, subject to available funding.
The bill also updates prioritization criteria to account for factors affecting military families, including parental deployment status and single custodial military parents. Children enrolled under these provisions would not be considered part of the state-funded entitlement for ECEAP.
For purposes of the bill, a military member is defined as an active-duty member of the United States armed forces, a member of a reserve component, or a member of the Washington National Guard who is stationed in or a resident of Washington state. The provisions would take effect Aug. 1, 2030.
“ECEAP is a critical early learning program, and this bill ensures it can better serve military families whose childcare needs don’t always align with standard eligibility rules,” Nobles said. “SB 5907 creates flexibility within the existing program so military families can access care when space is available.”
“I want to thank Sen. Nobles for sponsoring this legislation! Military families face unique challenges — frequent relocations, long deployments, inconsistent childcare access, and limited extended family support. These things all directly impact young children’s stability and well-being,” said Joel Ryan, executive director of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP. “Her legislation will allow these families to obtain safe, stable, and affordable childcare for their children by making it easier for military families to enroll their kids in ECEAP. I really appreciate her continuing advocacy for both ECEAP and military families!”
Follow the bill’s progress here.