Legislation passed unanimously late Thursday by the House will ensure that a child who qualifies for 12 months of Working Connections childcare receives the full 12-month benefit.

“If a household qualifies for 12 months of childcare, that’s what they should receive,” said Sen. Claire Wilson, D-Auburn, the sponsor of Senate Bill 6540. “The current system starts the clock as soon as an application is processed, which is often before a parent can find childcare. It starts too soon and ends too soon.”

Delaying the start of the clock until the child is in care will ensure that the parent and child receive the full 12-month benefit to which they are entitled.

“Childcare is in great demand and short supply,” said Wilson, vice chair of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee. “Parents deserve to be given the time it takes to find childcare.”

Having already passed the Senate, SB 6540 now goes to the governor to be signed into law.