This bill amends and reenacts multiple existing statutory sections to revise licensing rules and procedures for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families and related providers. It updates definitions used throughout chapter 74.15 and RCW 74.13.031; adds and clarifies licensing options and procedures including probationary licenses (issued up to six months, extendable six months, immediately terminable if noncompliance presents an immediate threat), child-specific licenses (issued for placement of a particular child subject to meeting foster home standards but not guaranteeing placement or party status in dependency proceedings), and nonexpiring full licenses subject to annual compliance requirements. It also sets application procedures and timelines (licenses generally issued for three years; department must grant or deny most applications within 90 days), makes licenses location-specific and nontransferable, and requires fingerprint-based state and federal background checks with out-of-state registry review when applicable. The bill creates a regulatory framework and exemptions for host home programs and host homes, defining “host home” and “host home program,” and requiring screening, background checks, insurance, mandatory reporter/confidentiality training, registration, case management, notarized parental authorization (updated every six months when applicable), monthly reporting for stays over a month, and a 72-hour report to the department where a child is in a host home without parental authorization while seeking or receiving “protected health care services” (defined as gender-affirming and certain reproductive health services). The department must attempt parent notification and offer services to resolve conflicts in those cases. Host home programs that receive public funding must report annually to the office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs on children served, reasons for placement, and discharge destinations. The bill requires licensed foster family homes and group-care providers to receive blood-borne pathogen training, mandates notification to out-of-home care providers about a child’s blood-borne pathogen status on placement with HIV disclosures to follow RCW 70.02.220, and directs the Department of Health to define “blood-borne pathogen” by rule. It also revises enforcement and penalty procedures: civil monetary penalties are authorized for rule violations or operating without a license (with specified per-violation caps for family day care and child day care centers, exclusion of licensed foster homes from penalties, forgiveness of penalties for unlicensed agencies that apply and become licensed within 30 days, and permanent disqualification for substantiated child care subsidy fraud); the department’s monitoring, inspection, and staffing requirements for crisis residential centers are also updated. Several provisions and cross-references are incomplete in the provided text, and other amendments referenced in the bill header and certain definitions or procedural details are not included in these extracts.

If enacted, the bill would create new licensing options and tighter rules that change who can provide out-of-home care and what they must do. Relatives or suitable persons could get child-specific licenses for an individual child, but they must meet full licensing standards and the department can limit placements; probationary licenses can be used as a disciplinary step and immediately replace an existing license while noncompliance is addressed. Host home programs run by tax-exempt organizations and individual host homes would face new screening, fingerprint background checks, insurance, registration, training, monthly case management and reporting duties, and a 72-hour reporting requirement when serving a youth without parental authorization who is seeking or receiving protected health care; programs that get public funding must also file an annual report by December 1. Licensed foster family homes and group care providers must get blood-borne pathogen training and be notified on placement if a child has a blood-borne pathogen; agencies that accept state subsidy must use an electronic attendance system and submit employee background checks into a workforce registry. Licenses generally would be issued for three years, the department must decide applications or continuations within 90 days, and the bill expands grounds and procedures for probation, suspension, revocation, and civil penalties (with foster homes explicitly exempt from penalties), while creating a nonexpiring full license option that requires annual compliance. These changes most directly affect host home programs and homes, licensed foster and group care providers, child‑placing agencies, the department (more reporting, notification, and rulemaking duties), and any providers who accept public funds (new attendance and reporting obligations). Expect added administrative costs for background checks, insurance, training, monthly and annual reporting, and potential exposure to fines or licensing consequences if rules aren’t followed; relatives seeking child‑specific licenses gain a clearer path but not guaranteed placement. Important implementation details and effective dates are missing from the provided text, so the timing of requirements and some operational specifics remain unclear.