Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

Children & Family Services Committee

     BILL ANALYSIS

SB 6392

Title:  An act relating to licensed overnight youth shelters.

Brief Description:  Providing financial support to licensed overnight youth shelters.

Sponsors:  Senators Strannigan, Long, West and Oke.

Meeting Date: February 24, 1998.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Doug Ruth  (786-7134).

Background: Overnight youth shelters provide temporary food and housing to homeless or runaway youth who have no other place to stay.  These shelters are required to be licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).  In order to be licenced, the shelters must meet minimum requirements necessary to ensure the health and safety of the youth staying in the shelters.

Summary of Bill:  A grant program is created in the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development to provide grants to licensed overnight youth shelters.  The department is appropriated $120,000 for the purpose of assisting overnight youth shelters meet DSHS licensing requirements.  Grants are limited to $20,000 per year for each shelter and may only be provided to currently licensed nonprofit shelters.

An intent section expresses the concern that it is costly for shelters to meet licensing requirements.  The section explains that state assistance for these shelters may enable the shelters to leverage local and private funds. 

Appropriation:  $120,000.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Committee Members:

Rep. Suzette Cooke, ChairRep. Mike Carrell

Rep. Marc Boldt, Vice Chair                        Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson

Rep. Roger Bush, Vice Chair                        Rep. Jeff Gombosky     

Rep. Kip Tokuda*                             Rep. Joyce McDonald

Rep. Jim Kastama**                           Rep. Cathy Wolfe

Rep. Ida Ballasiotes