Secrecy hits the spotlight in Washington state. A Democrat senator just pre-filed a bill to hide personal details of all child care providers from public view. Critics call it a perfect cover-up. Meanwhile, fraud probes into taxpayer-funded daycares rage on. And get this—her district boasts a large Somali population, and she once championed sanctuary laws that limit police checks on immigration status.
Secrecy Bill Details Emerge
Senator Lisa Wellman, a Democrat from Mercer Island, introduced Senate Bill 5926 on December 22, 2025. The measure expands current privacy rules. Right now, only in-home daycare operators get shields for names, addresses, and phone numbers. However, this new secrecy plan covers everyone—center-based providers too. Wellman says it protects workers from harassment and doxxing. Therefore, personal info stays hidden. Yet business addresses, licensing status, and inspection reports remain public. Her office insists the idea came last fall, before recent fraud buzz.
Sanctuary Ties Raise Eyebrows
Wellman previously pushed the Keep Washington Working Act. That 2019 law made Washington a sanctuary state. It stops local police from asking about immigration in most cases. Critics chuckle—here she goes again, shielding info in a district with strong Somali ties, just as probes heat up. Independent journalists used public records to visit daycares. Some looked empty despite big subsidy checks. However, officials now warn against “harassment.” The timing? Comically suspicious to many.
Secrecy vs. Transparency Debate
Fraud claims started in Minnesota but spread here. Federal agents investigate Somali-linked centers nationwide. Washington has hundreds listing Somali as primary language. Republicans demand audits. Yet this secrecy bill could block easy checks on operators. Supporters argue it evens protections across providers. Critics say it hides potential bad actors. After all, taxpayers fund these programs. Why the rush to conceal now? The bill awaits the 2026 session starting January 13. Debates promise fireworks. Will secrecy win, or will transparency prevail—and what does this mean for accountability in public funds?
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