February 3-7
This week the Senate Human Services Committee took action on bills of priority for Partners for Our Children:
- The committee passed SB 5488 to end the practice of taking SSI and other benefits from children and youth in foster care to pay for their basic care. The bill was passed out of committee with an amendment to end the practice for ages 14-17 beginning January 1, 2026. Starting January 1, 2028, the amendment expands to include all children in the care of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, subject to appropriations. The bill is scheduled for a hearing in Ways and Means on February 13th.
- SB 5082 was also passed out of the committee. This bill provides housing support to youth in Extended Foster Care. This bill also saw changes as it moved out of committee. It guarantees housing for youth experiencing homelessness and provides housing to those at-risk of homelessness, subject to appropriations. This bill also advances to the Ways and Means Committee.
- The committee heard SB 5508 (companion to HB 1177) to strengthen and expand the Child Welfare Housing Assistance Program. The committee heard from parent advocates and those with lived experience who shared examples of the profound impact housing has on a family’s success in reuniting, gaining stability, and pursuing goals such as education and employment. The bill is scheduled for a vote in committee on February 12th.
The committees will continue to hear and pass bills until February 21st, which is the deadline for bills to be voted out of policy committees.
Also this week, state agencies were required to submit budget reductions in response to a directive from Governor Ferguson. Agencies were instructed to identify reductions of at least six percent in the 2025-27 biennium, with the exceptions for agencies serving K-12 students, community and technical colleges, the Washington State Patrol, Department of Corrections, and Criminal Justice Training Commission. Entitlements that are cash benefits to residents were also excluded.
Weekly bill tracker
The P4C tracker highlights bills related to our priorities, particularly in child welfare. Please note that the inclusion of bills in the tracker does not reflect P4C’s position for or against the bill.
Other ways to stay informed
- The legislative website provides comprehensive information on bills, committee schedules, and contact information for legislators.
- TVW offers live and archived coverage of legislative committees and other events.