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."