Union Asks Washington Lawmakers to Restrict Reporters After Viral Daycare Investigation

A recent video posted by Post Millennial reporter Katie Daviscourt showed her knocking on doors of several home-based daycares in south Seattle. Daviscourt said neighbors told her they had never seen kids at those addresses. The video and an accompanying post alleging large taxpayer payments to the providers went viral.

The article notes subsidy payment data for childcare providers is publicly available. Childcare Aware provides data by address area, and the Washington State fiscal website shows taxpayer subsidy payments when a daycare name is entered. SEIU's email questioned what public data the reporter used to claim providers brought in tens of thousands of dollars monthly.

Rep. Travis Couture, a Republican who previously sought legislation for greater scrutiny of daycare subsidies, said the concerns raised by the video are obvious to him: homes appear empty and neighbors confirm no children are present. He said prior efforts to increase oversight were rejected by majority Democrats.

Other Republicans signaled they expect lawmakers to introduce bills mirroring legislation passed in California. That California law includes civil liability for publishing personal information or photos with intent to cause harm, creating potential exposure for reporters who publicize investigations if those filmed claim damage.

Pushback and potential legal changes

Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, described a possible Washington bill as a "Stop Nick Shirley Act," referencing the independent journalist whose similar investigations in other states sparked the California response. Critics of restricting reporting warn new laws could punish journalists who expose alleged fraud.

State officials have been urged to investigate allegations. The Center Square reported the Attorney General's office said the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is the primary investigator for childcare fraud and encouraged people with claims to report them. The union did not respond to a request for interview beyond the email to lawmakers.

• Whether Washington lawmakers introduce legislation similar to California's civil-liability law that could affect journalists and social media creators.

A viral investigation into home-based daycare subsidies has triggered a clash between calls for transparency and concerns about targeting immigrant providers. Lawmakers will now decide whether to tighten protections for providers, expand oversight of subsidy payments, or both.