B 26-0004 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Early Childhood Educator Pay Scales Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill updates minimum pay scales for early childhood educators in Washington, D.C., requiring child development facilities receiving funds from the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund to meet new salary standards starting January 2025. It directly affects facilities that contract with the Department of Health to provide early childhood education services. Key provisions set annual minimums: $51,006 for assistant teachers with a child development associate credential (CDA), $54,262 for those with an associate degree or 60 college credits, and $75,103 for lead teachers with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. The bill amends the 1979 Day Care Policy Act to align pay with credential levels and takes effect after emergency approval, with transitional requirements for October-December 2024.

Sub-Topics: Employment Discrimination Early Childhood Teachers

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Council Passage

Jan 2025

Signed into Law

Jan 2025

Introduced Jan 6, 2025 Signed Jan 29, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduction → Enrollment · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates minimum salary requirements for child development facility teachers in the District of Columbia, effective January 2025. The changes include revised salary tables for assistant and lead teachers based on credential levels, expanded eligibility definitions, and adjusted effective dates to align with congressional review requirements. The bill also clarifies how the Department of Early Childhood Education should align salary requirements with established teacher qualifications.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on child development facilities receiving Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund monies, but the specific salary thresholds and credential requirements have been updated to reflect new minimum standards.

TIMELINE

The effective date for minimum salary requirements was changed from October 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025, with a sunset provision limiting the emergency act to 90 days.

FISCAL

Minimum salary amounts for assistant teachers were updated, with new rates ranging from $43,865/year for those with less than a CDA credential to $54,262/year for those with an Associate degree or higher.

Minimum salary amounts for lead teachers were updated, with new rates ranging from $63,838/year for Associate in ECE holders to $75,103/year for Bachelor's degree holders in ECE.

ELIGIBILITY

The definition of 'CDA' was expanded to include state-awarded certificates that meet or exceed CDA requirements, broadening eligibility for certain salary tiers.

REQUIREMENT

The Department is now required to issue guidance to help facilities align minimum salary requirements with established teacher qualifications.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting and markup changes were made to clarify the relationship between subsections and tables in the amended statute.

Floor votes · Council Jan 7, 2025

How they voted

13–0

Passed

Total votes 13

Jan 7, 2025

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 7, 2025

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (13-0)

council

Jan 6, 2025

Introduced

B26-0004 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors