SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5800

As of February 26, 2019

Title: An act relating to the helping homeless college students act.

Brief Description: Concerning homeless college students.

Sponsors: Senators Randall, Zeiger, Nguyen, Wilson, C., Saldaña, Carlyle, Keiser, Sheldon, Das, Hasegawa and Kuderer.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 2/07/19, 2/19/19 [DPS-WM, DNP].

Ways & Means: 2/25/19.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5800 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Palumbo, Chair; Randall, Vice Chair; Liias and Wellman.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

Signed by Senators Holy, Ranking Member; Brown and Ericksen.

Staff: Kellee Gunn (786-7429)

Staff: Daniel Masterson (786-7454)

Background: Public Baccalaureate Institutions. There are six public, four-year colleges and universities in Washington State. Of the six four-year institutions, four are regional comprehensive colleges and universities including The Evergreen State College, Western Washington University, Central Washington University, and Eastern Washington University. The other two, University of Washington and Washington State University, are research institutions.

Public and Community Technical Colleges. There are 34 public and community technical college (CTCs) districts in Washington State. Each public college and CTC must maintain an open-door policy, which states admission cannot be denied because of the location of a student's residence, or because of the student's educational background or ability.

Summary of Bill (First Substitute): The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges must select four college districts, two on each side of the crest of the Cascade Mountain range, to participate in a pilot program to assist students experiencing homelessness and students who were in the foster care system when they graduated high school (program-eligible students). Similarly, the Washington Student Achievement Council must select two public baccalaureate institutions, one on each side of the crest of the Cascade Mountain range, to participate in a corresponding pilot program.

The college districts and public baccalaureate institutions chosen to participate in the pilot program must provide certain accommodations to students including, but not limited to:

• access to laundry facilities;

• access to storage;

• access to locker room and shower facilities;

• reduced-price meals or meal plans, and access to food banks;

• access to technology;

• access to short-term housing or housing assistance, especially during seasonal breaks; and

• case management services.

College districts and public baccalaureate institutions participating in the pilot program may also establish and provide plans to develop surplus property for affordable housing to accommodate the needs of program-eligible students.

Institutions not chosen to participate in the pilot program are encouraged to participate and submit data required of the pilot program participants.

The pilot program expires July 1, 2023.

The college districts and public baccalaureate institutions participating in the pilot program must each provide joint reports, one from the CTCs and another from the public baccalaureate institutions, to the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2023. The reports must include:

• the total number of program-eligible students attending during the pilot program;

• the number of program-eligible students assisted by the pilot program;

• strategies for accommodating students experiencing homelessness and former foster care students; and

• legislative recommendations for how students experiencing homelessness and former foster care students could be better served.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (First Substitute):

• Adds language to encourage institutions not participating in the pilot program to take part and provide appropriate data.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill (Higher Education & Workforce Development): The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: As a state we have committed to finding pathways for all students to get an education. Once students get to college however, they lose the supports they have had access to in K-12. This looks at ways to accommodate the most vulnerable students. Pilot projects help us identify what the issues are, what is working, and what can be improved before a program like this becomes law.

OTHER: Please consider current programs in existence at these institutions when developing these pilot programs.

Persons Testifying (Higher Education & Workforce Development): PRO: Senator Emily Randall, Prime Sponsor; Arlen Harris, State Board for Community & Technical Colleges; Dr. Timothy Stokes, President, South Sound Community College; Dani Trimble, Lower Columbia Community College; Charles Adkins, Director of Legislative Affairs, Geoduck Student Union. OTHER: Cody Eccles, Council of Presidents.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Higher Education & Workforce Development): No one.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Ways & Means): PRO: This bill will help students graduate and become wage earners in Washington state. We think this is going to reduce a lot of the stress students have and will make it easier for them to get through their degree faster.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Henry Pollet, Legislative Liaison, Associated Students of Western Washington University.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Ways & Means): No one.