BILL REQ. #:  H-2255.1 

Read first time 03/10/2003.   Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.

     AN ACT Relating to short-term cash assistance for homeless persons; creating new sections; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The secretary of the department of social and health services shall create a program for homeless persons for the purpose of short-term cash assistance intended to enable homeless persons to obtain housing and employment. In creating the program, the department shall consult with (a) homeless persons in the state, and (b) the legislature.
     (2) The secretary shall adopt rules to operate the program, which shall include eligibility determination for the program.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The program created by the secretary pursuant to section 1 of this act shall provide a monthly benefit of three hundred dollars per month per person for each eligible homeless person.
     (2) Eligibility for the program created by the secretary pursuant to section 1 of this act shall end after each eligible homeless person has received the three hundred dollar monthly benefit provided in subsection (1) of this section for twelve months.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   Sections 1 and 2 of this act expire July 1, 2004.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Sections 1 and 2 of this act are each added to Title 74 RCW but shall not be codified.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2003, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.