(1) Activities eligible for funding through the early learning facilities grant and loan program for eligible organizations include:

(a) Facility predesign grants or loans to allow eligible organizations to secure professional services or consult with organizations certified by the community development financial institutions fund to plan for and assess the feasibility of early learning facilities projects or receive other technical assistance to design and develop projects for construction funding;

(b) Grants or loans for predevelopment activities to advance a proposal from planning to major construction or renovation;

(c) Grants or loans for renovations or repairs of existing early learning facilities;

(d) Major construction and renovation grants or loans and grants or loans for facility purchases to create or expand early learning facilities, including those that increase early childhood education and assistance program capacity by supporting conversion of slots from part day to full day or extended day, or conversion of full day to extended day, as defined in RCW 43.216.010;

(e) Emergency project grants as provided in RCW 43.31.573; and

(f) Administration costs associated with conducting application processes, managing contracts, translation services, and providing technical assistance.

(2) For grants or loans awarded under subsection (1)(c) and (d) of this section, the department must prioritize applications for facilities that are ready for construction.

(3) Activities eligible for funding through the early learning facilities grant and loan program for school districts and tribal compact schools include major construction, purchase, and renovation grants or loans to create or expand early learning facilities that received priority and ranking as described in RCW 43.31.581.

Effective date—2024 c 230 s 1: "Section 1 of this act takes effect July 1, 2025." [ 2024 c 230 s 5.]

Conflict with federal requirements—Effective date—2023 c 474: See notes following RCW 28A.320.330.

Findings—Intent—Effective date—2017 3rd sp.s. c 12: See notes following RCW 43.31.565.