HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2415

As Reported by House Committee On:

Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs

Title: An act relating to creating a temporary homeless status certification.

Brief Description: Creating a temporary homeless status certification.

Sponsors: Representatives Parker, Ormsby, Zeiger, Walsh, Holy, Christian, Lytton, Riccelli, Fagan, Kagi, Gregerson, Orwall and Santos.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs: 1/23/14, 2/4/14 [DPS].

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Appleton, Chair; Sawyer, Vice Chair; Johnson, Ranking Minority Member; Holy, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Gregerson, Hope, Robinson, Santos and Young.

Staff: Sean Flynn (786-7124).

Background:

The State Homeless Housing Program.

The Legislature enacted the Homeless Housing and Assistance Act in 2005, which directs the Department of Commerce (COM) to develop a statewide homeless housing program. The COM must implement the program through a 10-year strategic plan with the goal of reducing homelessness by 50 percent in the state and within each county by 2015.

Local governments must develop their own 10-year homeless housing plans in coordination with the statewide plan. Local government plans may include specific performance measures and may include recommendations for state legislation that is needed to meet a goal of the local plan. Local governments are also eligible to participate in a state homeless housing grant program, administered by the COM.

State Identification.

The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues the state driver's license and Identicard that serve as official forms of personal identification. The driver's license and Identicard can be used to verify a person's name, residency, and age for various purposes. In order for a driver's license or Identicard to be valid for identification purposes, an applicant must provide the DOL with certain identifying documentation that contains the person's name and signature, including:

• a valid or recently expired driver's license or instruction permit that includes the date of birth of the applicant;

• a Washington Identicard or an identification card issued by another state;

• an identification card issued by the United States, a state, or an agency of either the United States or a state, of a kind commonly used to identify the members or employees of the government agency;

• a military identification card;

• a United States passport; or

• an immigration and naturalization service form.

The DOL may waive this requirement if a person is unable to provide any of these forms of identification and if the person provides other documentation that clearly establishes his or her identity. In addition, the DOL regulations require an applicant to provide a current mailing and state residential address and telephone number.

Foster youth may obtain an Identicard by providing the DOL with a written statement from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) that verifies the following:

• the youth's name, birthdate, and physical description;

• the youth's Social Security Number, if available;

• the fact that the youth is a minor in the custody of the DSHS or other agency, and the DSHS or agency contact information; and

• the appropriate address to be listed on the Identicard.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

The COM must establish a homeless status certification pilot program within one county where there are homeless housing and service providers, community leaders, and businesses that are willing to partner with the COM. The program must create a homeless status form that verifies a person's homeless status and provides an address of a homeless housing or service provider to be used by the person. The COM must develop procedures for collecting the information provided on the homeless status forms. The COM must convene regular meetings with homeless housing and service providers, community leaders, homeless persons, and businesses for purposes of creating and implementing the program and defining responsibilities among the interested parties.

By December 1, 2016, the COM must submit a report to the Legislature on the outcomes of the program, including the number of persons who used the homeless status form and the number of persons who obtained employment. The report also must evaluate and make recommendations on expanding the program statewide.

The program expressly does not create an entitlement. The program expires June 30, 2017.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The pilot program replaces the implementation of the homeless status certification statewide. Specific identification and verification requirements are removed. The terms of use of the certification are removed and the COM is not expressly authorized to integrate the information on the certification form with the Homeless Client Management Information System.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available. New fiscal note requested on February 5, 2012.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill allows a homeless person to use the address of a homeless housing or service provider for purposes of employment. Many homeless persons want to work; however, there are impediments for them to find employment opportunities. One problem is the inability to list a permanent address on a job application form. This bill would allow homeless persons to use the address of homeless housing or a service provider, with the provider's consent.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Parker, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.