Aligning child care subsidy base rates in Franklin county with Benton and Walla Walla counties.

SB 6179 requires Franklin County's child care subsidy rates for licensed or certified providers to match those paid in Benton and Walla Walla counties starting July 1, 2026. This directly affects child care providers in Franklin County who receive state subsidies, ensuring they receive the same base rate as providers in the two neighboring counties. The bill mandates this alignment through a specific provision in the law, without altering the broader statewide goal of reaching 85th percentile market rates. It does not change the statewide framework for future rate adjustments but addresses an existing disparity for Franklin County providers.