Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
College & Workforce Development Committee
HB 1601
Brief Description: Expanding the students experiencing homelessness and foster youth pilot program.
Sponsors: Representatives Leavitt, Caldier, Ryu, Corry, Taylor, Slatter, Eslick, Thai, Chopp, Johnson, J., Fitzgibbon, Robertson, Wicks, Bateman, Simmons, Duerr, Sells, Berg, Walen, Graham, Paul and Gregerson.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Changes the Homeless and Foster Care Students Pilot Program to a permanent program.
  • Allows any community and technical college to participate in the Homeless and Foster Care Students Pilot Program.
Hearing Date: 1/10/22
Staff: Elizabeth Allison (786-7129).
Background:

In 2019 the Legislature created the Homeless and Foster Care Students Pilot Program (Pilot Program) to provide assistance and accommodations to students experiencing homelessness and to students who were in foster care when they graduated high school.  The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) was directed to select four community and technical colleges (CTCs) to participate in the Pilot Program, and the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) was directed to select two baccalaureate institutions to participate in the Pilot Program.  In 2021 the Legislature expanded the number of colleges participating in the Pilot Program to eight CTCs and four baccalaureate institutions.
 
Services provided to students in the Pilot Program include:

  • access to laundry facilities;
  • access to storage, 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.

 
The CTCs and baccalaureate institutions may establish plans to develop surplus property for affordable housing.
 
Participating colleges must provide a joint report to the Legislature.
Summary of Bill:

The Pilot Program is changed to a permanent program and allows all CTCs to participate.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 4, 2022.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.