HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2699

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to community empowerment.

Brief Description:  Creating a youthbuild violence prevention program.

Sponsors:  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.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Trade, Economic Development & Housing, February 3, 1994, DPS;

  Passed Legislature, March 11, 1994.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Wineberry, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Conway; Morris; Quall; Sheldon; Springer and Valle.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 3 members:  Representatives Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund and Wood.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

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 is a problem 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 education and economic opportunities for youth.

On the national level, several cities have developed programs that address the educational and specialized job skills of disadvantaged youth.  These programs termed "Youthbuild" provide education, specialized job training, work experience, and leadership skills for disadvantaged youth who have not completed their high school education.

Summary of Bill:  The Washington Youthbuild Program is created in the Employment Security Department.  The purpose of the program is to provide basic education skills to disadvantaged youth 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 youth.  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 lessor 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.

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

Applicants that request assistance through the Housing Assistance Program and provide construction employment opportunities to disadvantaged youth, under the Washington Youthbuild Program, will be given preference for project funding.

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

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 13, 1994.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Appropriation:  The sum of $7.45 million general fund - state.

Testimony For:  (Bill that passed committee and companion measure)  Approaches to end violence must include prevention, expanding skills of our youth, and increasing opportunities for all residents.  This bill addresses those needs by allowing the community to develop strategies based on what works best for them.  The YouthBuild program will give disadvantaged  youth the opportunity to receive education and skills training while they rehabilitate housing that will be occupied by low-income or homeless people in the area.

Testimony Against:  (Bill that passed committee and companion measure)  None.

Witnesses:  Laurie Lippold, Children's Alliance (pro - bill that passed); Mike Doubleday, city of Seattle (pro - bill that passed); Renecca Jackson, Dewillianne Briscoeway, and Tonishia Coleman  (pro - companion measure); Meg Goldman, YouthBuild USA (pro - companion measure); John Epler, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (pro - companion measure); Robert Dilger, Washington State Building & Construction Trade Council (pro - companion measure); Gerry Marsh, Carpenters District Council (pro - companion measure); Chris Parsons, Peace Action of Washington (pro - companion measure); and Fred Bletson, Central Area Motivation Program (pro - companion measure).