FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 2699

                        C 3 L 94 E 1

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Creating a youthbuild violence prevention program.

By House Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Wineberry, Forner, J. Kohl, Schoesler, Appelwick, Long, Thibaudeau, Ballasiotes, Lemmon, L. Johnson, Campbell, Valle, Basich, Pruitt, Rayburn, Flemming, Kremen, Sheldon, Karahalios, Conway, Springer and Quall).

House Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing

House Committee on Appropriations

Background: Washington is facing a crisis in rising levels of violence being committed by and against youth.  The problem is not limited to the state's large urban areas, but occurs in small cities and rural areas.  The phenomenon of violence in our culture stems from a complex web of contributing factors that include a lack of educational and economic opportunities for youth.

On the national level, approximately 14 cities and the state of Minnesota are implementing programs designed to address the lack of educational and economic opportunities for disadvantaged youth.  These "Youthbuild" programs provide education, specialized job training, work experience, and leadership skills for disadvantaged youth who have not completed high school.

Summary:  The Washington Youthbuild Program is created in the Employment Security Department.  The program will provide basic educational skills to disadvantaged youths while they work on projects that result in the expansion or improvement of residential units for low-income or homeless persons.

The Employment Security Department may provide grants to local organizations to implement a comprehensive program of education, specialized job training, support services, leadership and employment skills to disadvantaged youths.  The program is limited to organizations eligible to provide education and employment training under federal or state law.

The Washington Youthbuild Program grant amounts may not exceed the lesser of $300,000 or 25 percent of the total project costs.  The grant funds are limited to:  (1) education and job skills services and activities designed to meet the needs of the participant; (2) counseling services and related activities; (3) supportive services and need-based stipends to participants; (4) activities designed to develop employment and leadership skills; and (5) wage stipends and benefits to participants.

A Washington Youthbuild Program participant must be:  (1) 16 to 24 years of age, inclusive; (2) a member of a household with an income that is below 50 percent of the county median income; and (3) a high school dropout.

The Washington State Job Training Coordinating Council will provide advice on the development and implementation of the Washington Youthbuild Program.

Votes on Final Passage:

First Special Session

House  93 1

Senate 36 5

Effective:  June 13, 1994