BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESHB 2253

HB 2253: DCYF licensing division

Concerning updates to the licensing division of the department of children, youth, and families.

Summary

Revises certain licensing requirements for foster homes including the immediate termination of a probationary child-specific license by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families when high-potency synthetic opioids or illicit substances are present in the home, terminating a foster home license when that license has been inactive, and issuing a child-specific license to a relative or close family friend for the placement of a specific child in the care and custody of another state who is to be placed in Washington State through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, among other things.
Changes the staffing ratio of crisis residential centers to one staff member to every four children during working hours and one staff member to every six children during sleeping hours.
Provides that any child care licensee who is found to have committed child care subsidy fraud is permanently disqualified from child care licensure.

From the Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill Report (ESHB 2253), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed House, stalled in Senate

AN ACT Relating to updates to the licensing division of the department of children, youth, and families;

Passed February 13, 2026

Version voted on: ESHB 2253

92 Yea 2 Nay 0 Absent 4 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	58	0	0	1
Republican	34	2	0	3

How each member voted

Mar 12, 2026By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading. (ESHB 2253)
Feb 17, 2026First reading, referred to Human Services. (ESHB 2253)
Feb 13, 2026Third reading, passed; yeas, 92; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 4. (ESHB 2253)
Feb 13, 2026Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESHB 2253)
Feb 13, 2026Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESHB 2253)
Feb 13, 20261st substitute bill substituted. (ESHB 2253)
Feb 13, 20261st substitute bill substituted.
Feb 6, 2026Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESHB 2253)
Feb 6, 2026Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Jan 28, 2026Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESHB 2253)
Jan 28, 2026Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Jan 23, 2026ELHS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESHB 2253)
Jan 23, 2026ELHS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Jan 23, 2026ELHS - Executive action taken by committee.
Jan 12, 2026First reading, referred to Early Learning & Human Services.
Jan 5, 2026Prefiled for introduction.

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

HB 2253 (2023–24) Community solar · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2253 (2019–20) Ads for non-candidates · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2253 (2017–18) Remains of a deceased minor · Did not pass · stalled on the House floor
HB 2253 (2015–16) Jnt admin rules review comm · Enacted · Chapter 11, Laws of 2015, 2nd Special Session
HB 2253 (2013–14) Telecomm installations · Enacted · Chapter 156, Laws of 2014
HB 2253 (2011–12) SEPA · Did not pass · passed House, stalled in Senate
HB 2253 (2009–10) Consumer rights/in-home care · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2253 (2007–08) Autism awareness lic plate · Did not pass · died in committee