BILL REQ. #:  S-0664.2 

Read first time 01/16/09.   Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to housing for populations at risk of being homeless, including those suffering from mental illness, those with criminal backgrounds, and those who may have chemical or alcohol dependency issues; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1)(a) A legislative task force to address housing for individuals at a high risk of being homeless is established. The task force will consist of members as follows:
     (i) The president of the senate shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate;
     (ii) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives; and
     (iii) The governor shall appoint no more than six members to include representatives from the department of corrections, the department of community, trade, and economic development, the department of social and health services, the department of veterans affairs, and the interagency council on homelessness.
     (b) The task force, where feasible, may consult with individuals from the public and private sector and may ask such persons to establish advisory committees or work groups. Those with whom the task force may consult include representatives from at least the following:
     (i) Counties;
     (ii) Cities;
     (iii) Crime victims;
     (iv) Community corrections officers;
     (v) Multifamily housing and landlord associations;
     (vi) Tenant associations or organizations advocating on behalf of tenants and the homeless; and
     (vii) Local law enforcement.
     (2) The task force shall choose its chair or cochairs from among its membership.
     (3) At a minimum, the task force shall review and make recommendations regarding:
     (a) Identification and removal of barriers to finding and maintaining affordable housing for individuals at risk of being homeless including, but not limited to, those suffering from mental illness, those with criminal backgrounds, and those who may have chemical or alcohol dependency issues;
     (b) Inventory and review of current programs providing housing assistance to at-risk populations and advisable methods of providing housing assistance in the future;
     (c) Methods to encourage private landlords to provide housing to at-risk populations;
     (d) Statutory changes to the residential landlord-tenant act; and
     (e) Quality controls to ensure housing standards for at-risk tenants.
     (4) The task force shall present a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature, including any proposed legislation, by November 15, 2009.
     (5)(a) The task force shall use legislative facilities, and staff support must be provided by senate committee services and the house of representatives office of program research. The department of corrections, department of community, trade, and economic development, and department of social and health services shall cooperate with the task force and shall provide information as the task force reasonably requests.
     (b) Nonlegislative members of the joint legislative task force shall serve without compensation.
     (c) Legislative members of the task force must be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120.
     (d) The expenses of the task force must be paid jointly by the senate and the house of representatives.
     (6) This section expires December 1, 2009.