WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SHB 1351

HB 1351: ECEAP age requirements

Adjusting age requirements for accessing the early childhood education and assistance program.

Summary

  • Allows children who turn 3 after August 31 of the school year to enroll in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), subject to available space and funding, when they otherwise meet all standard ECEAP eligibility criteria.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SHB 1351), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 253, Laws of 2025
  1. IntroducedJan 16, 2025
  2. Out of committeeFeb 21, 2025
  3. Passed HouseMar 4, 2025
  4. Passed SenateApr 8, 2025
  5. GovernorMay 13, 2025
  6. LawMay 13, 2025
Prime sponsor
Adam Bernbaum (D-24)
Introduced
January 16, 2025 in the House
Last action
May 13, 2025
Session law
Chapter 253, Laws of 2025
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 1351, SHB 1351

AN ACT Relating to age requirements for accessing the early childhood education and assistance program;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Adam Bernbaum (D-24)

11 co-sponsors (10 Democrats, 1 Republican)

Carolyn Eslick R-39Larry Springer D-45Timm Ormsby D-3Osman Salahuddin D-48Lisa Parshley D-22Natasha Hill D-3Beth Doglio D-22Victoria Hunt D-5Gerry Pollet D-46Julio Cortes D-38Greg Nance D-23

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 4, 2025
Version voted on: SHB 1351
96 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat57002
Republican39000
How each member voted

Yea (96)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed April 8, 2025
Version voted on: SHB 1351
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican19000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed April 22, 2025
Version voted on: SHB 1351
97 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58001
Republican39000
How each member voted

Yea (97)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/1/2025*. (SHB 1351)
  2. Chapter 253, 2025 Laws. (SHB 1351)
  3. Governor signed. (SHB 1351)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SHB 1351)
  5. President signed. (SHB 1351)
  6. Speaker signed. (SHB 1351)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SHB 1351)
  8. House concurred in Senate amendments. (SHB 1351)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SHB 1351)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SHB 1351)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments. (SHB 1351)
  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SHB 1351)
  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SHB 1351)
  14. EDU - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (SHB 1351)
  15. First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education. (SHB 1351)
  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2. (SHB 1351)
  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SHB 1351)
  18. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SHB 1351)
  19. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  20. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SHB 1351)
  21. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SHB 1351)
  23. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  24. APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Early Learning & Human Services. (SHB 1351)
  25. APP - Executive action taken by committee. (SHB 1351)
  26. APP - Executive action taken by committee.
  27. APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Early Learning & Human Services.
  28. Referred to Appropriations. (SHB 1351)
  29. Referred to Appropriations.
  30. ELHS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 1351)
  31. ELHS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  32. ELHS - Executive action taken by committee.
  33. First reading, referred to Early Learning & Human Services.

HB 1351 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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