SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1166
As of March 10, 2021
Title: An act relating to expanding access to the homeless and foster care college students pilot program.
Brief Description: Expanding access to the homeless and foster care college students pilot program.
Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Leavitt, Caldier, Sutherland, Chopp, Lekanoff, Davis, Shewmake, Pollet, Ramos, Callan, Rule, Gregerson, Bateman, Harris-Talley and Johnson, J.).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/26/21, 73-22.
Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 3/11/21.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Extends and expands the number of pilot programs at the community and technical colleges and the four-year higher education institutions to provide assistance to homeless students and students who were in foster care.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Staff: Kellee Gunn (786-7429)
Background:

In 2019, the Legislature established four pilot programs at the community and technical colleges (CTCs), two on each side of the Cascade Mountains, and a pilot program each at Eastern Washington University and Western Washington University.  The pilot programs were set up to provide certain amenities to students experiencing homelessness and to students who were in foster care when they graduated high school.

 

Amenities provided in the pilot programs include the following:

  • access to laundry facilities, storage, locker rooms and showers, and technology;
  • reduced-price meals or meal plans;
  • access to short-term housing or housing assistance, especially during seasonal breaks; and
  • case management services.

 

By December 1, 2023, the pilot programs must provide a joint report to the Legislature.  The pilot programs expire July 1, 2023.
Summary of Bill:

The pilot program is expanded to include:

  • two additional programs at the four-year institutions, one on each side of the Cascade Mountains; and
  • four additional pilot programs at the CTCs, with no less than four located outside the Puget Sound region.

 

The pilot program's expiration date is extended to July 1, 2024.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available. New fiscal note requested on March 9, 2021.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.