Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Appropriations Committee
HB 1693
Brief Description: Expanding the students experiencing homelessness and foster youth pilot program.
Sponsors: Representatives Lekanoff, Chopp, Reed, Leavitt, Reeves, Eslick, Ortiz-Self, Ramel, Pollet, Macri and Timmons.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Removes the expiration date for the student's experiencing homelessness program. 
  • Expands the program to include a tribal college. 
Hearing Date: 2/9/23
Staff: Kate Henry (786-7349).
Background:

In 2019 Second Substitute Senate Bill 5800 established pilot programs to provide assistance and accommodations to students experiencing homelessness and to students who were in foster care when they graduated high school.


The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (State Board) established pilot programs at four college districts, with two on each side of the Cascade Mountains.  The Student Achievement Council (Council) chose Eastern Washington University and Western Washington University to establish pilot programs at four-year institutions. 

 

The participating community and technical colleges (CTCs) and four-year institutions must provide accommodations to homeless students and students who were in foster care at high school graduation.  The accommodations may include:

  • access to laundry facilities, storage, locker rooms and showers, and technology; 
  • reduced-price meals or meal plans;
  • access to short-term housing or housing assistance, especially during seasonal breaks; and 
  • case management services. 

 

The pilot program sites varied in the way accommodations were provided.  The participating institutions must provide a joint report to the Legislature by December 1, 2023.

 

In 2021 Substitute House Bill 1166 expanded the program to include two additional four-year institutions, one on each side of the Cascade Mountains.  The pilot was also expanded at CTCs for four additional sites. The total CTC sites must have no less than four locations outside the Puget Sound region.  The pilot program's expiration date was extended to July 1, 2024 from July 1, 2023. 
Summary of Bill:

The expiration date for the program is removed.  The Council must select a tribal college to participate in the program. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 30, 2023.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.