SB 5404-S2 - DIGEST |
(DIGEST AS ENACTED) |
Establishes the homeless youth prevention and protection act. |
Creates the office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs within the department of commerce. |
Requires the office to: (1) Be operational no later than January 1, 2016; |
(2) Establish a statewide training program on homeless youth for criminal justice personnel; and |
(3) Provide management and oversight guidance and direction to the following programs: HOPE centers; crisis residential centers; street youth services; and independent youth housing programs. |
Specifies that the goals of the office are to: (1) Decrease the number of homeless youth and young adults by identifying programs that address the initial causes of homelessness; and |
(2) Increase permanency rates among homeless youth by decreasing the length and occurrences of youth homelessness caused by a youth's separation from family or a legal guardian. |
Requires the joint legislative audit and review committee to conduct a review of state-funded programs that serve unaccompanied homeless youth under the age of eighteen. |
Transfers certain powers, duties, and functions of the department of social and health services, pertaining to youth homeless services and programs, to the department of commerce. |
Changes the name of "the homeless families services fund" to "the Washington youth and families fund." |