OLYMPIA, WA – A Republican state senator is objecting to proposed legislation he says would reduce public scrutiny of Washington’s daycare system and oversight of the Department of Children, Youth and Families.

Sen. Leonard Christian, R–Spokane Valley, is raising concerns as reports of fraud in Minnesota daycare programs have prompted questions in other states. Christian said two bills introduced by legislative Democrats could make it more difficult for the public to examine daycare programs and other social services administered by DCYF.

Christian has introduced Senate Bill 6020, which would rename the independent DCYF Oversight Board as the “DCYF Social Club.” He said the proposal is intended to highlight what he views as an effort to weaken the board’s role.

“If the Legislature wants to turn the board into something toothless, we ought to be honest in what we call it,” Christian said. Christian is the ranking Republican on the Senate Human Services Committee.

Christian said there is no direct link between the Minnesota daycare fraud reports and the Washington legislation, noting that the bills were drafted before the Minnesota story became public. However, he said he believes the timing raises concerns about transparency.

One of the bills, Senate Bill 5926, would exempt state-subsidized daycare providers from certain public records requirements. The measure, introduced Dec. 22 by Sen. Lisa Wellman, D–Mercer Island, would limit the public’s ability to obtain information about daycare facilities and their owners.

The second proposal, Senate Bill 5942, would rename the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board. Introduced Dec. 26 by Sen. Claire Wilson, D–Federal Way, the bill would also remove the board’s authority to oversee DCYF’s performance and policies and eliminate its ability to request investigations by an independent office.

The daycare issue gained national attention after a Minnesota citizen journalist posted video online showing Somali-operated daycare facilities that appeared vacant while receiving state funding. Following that report, federal officials sought to freeze Medicaid daycare funding in five states pending investigation. Media outlets in Washington later reported potential signs of fraud, though Democratic officials criticized those inquiries and urged the public to report media contacts to a hate-crimes hotline.

Christian, who serves on the DCYF Oversight Board, said discussions about renaming the board had been underway for months but said he was surprised the proposal would strip the board of its oversight powers.

“They call it ‘modernization,’ but by eliminating important oversight responsibilities this legislation removes an important tool to ensure the agency is accountable to the public,” Christian said.

Christian said he hopes Senate Bill 6020 will receive a hearing during the 2026 legislative session. Lawmakers convened the 60-day session Monday in Olympia.