Transforming child welfare through research & policy

Legislative

2025 Legislative Session, Week Three

January 27-31

This week committees were busy hearing bills on a broad range of topics. Committees will continue hearing and taking action on bills until the first “cut-off” on February 21st, at which point all bills need to be voted out of the policy committee to continue to advance through the process.   

Hearings and action were taken this week on priority bills for Partners for Our Children:

  • The Senate Human Services Committee heard 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 committee heard from a variety of advocates, as well as a caregiver who shared about federal survivor benefits being withheld from the children in their care who have experienced the death of their parents.
  • HB 1177, which will provide housing assistance to families to expedite reunification or prevent the removal of children, was heard in the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee. This bill would clarify and strengthen the administration of the program as well as address the needs of families on the waitlist to receive housing support. The bill was voted out of committee on Friday, January 31st with changes, notably that any additional funding to serve families would be “subject to appropriations” meaning that funding levels will need to be worked out in the budget development process.
  • HB 1429 was also heard in the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee. This bill will provide housing support to youth in Extended Foster Care. Young people from The Mockingbird Society shared their experience and that of their peers who have struggled to maintain housing and meet basic needs while in foster care. Young people in Extended Foster Care are under the custodial care of the state and it is the state’s responsibility to ensure that they are housed. HB 1429 is the companion to SB 5082 which is scheduled to be voted out of the Senate Human Services Committee next week.

In addition to action at the state-level, numerous executive orders have been issued by President Trump that could have an impact on funding levels in our state. For example, an order to terminate all diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government could have ripple effects on state programs that receive federal funding.

Earlier this week, the federal Office of Management and Budget issued a memo to freeze federal spending while a review of all spending was conducted. While this memo was rescinded shortly after being issued, it raises concerns about actions at the federal level that could have deep and far-reaching consequences on our state’s resources. States rely on federal funding for everything from health care and education to housing and disaster relief. Washington state is already facing an estimated $10-12 billion shortfall in resources to continue to meet the state’s needs; any impact on federal resources would exacerbate this problem.

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

  • TVW offers live and archived coverage of legislative committees and other events.
  • The legislative website provides comprehensive information on bills, committee schedules, and contact information for legislators.