The bill seeks to enhance support for unaccompanied homeless youth in Washington State by amending various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Key provisions include the establishment of HOPE centers, which will provide temporary residential placement for unaccompanied homeless youth for up to 90 days, with potential extensions based on long-term placement availability. The bill redefines "unaccompanied homeless youth," replacing the term "street youth" to better reflect the target population. It also introduces new requirements for crisis residential centers, such as parental notification of a child's whereabouts unless there is a compelling reason not to, and mandates a data collection system to measure outcomes for the youth served.

Additionally, the bill outlines new eligibility criteria for placement in HOPE centers, emphasizing the need for collaboration between housing and education partners to ensure stability for homeless students. It establishes a grant program to connect homeless students and their families with stable housing, prioritizing geographic diversity and addressing racial inequities. The Department of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs is tasked with administering these grants and developing competitive processes for eligible organizations. The bill also updates operational guidelines for the independent youth housing program, clarifying definitions and ensuring compliance among agencies, while introducing provisions that link contractor performance to reimbursement levels. Overall, the legislation aims to create a comprehensive framework for addressing youth homelessness and promoting long-term housing stability.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 43.185C.280, 43.185C.285, 43.185C.315, 43.185C.320, 43.185C.340, 43.330.702, 43.330.710, 43.63A.305, 43.330.726
Substitute bill: 43.185C.280, 43.185C.285, 43.185C.315, 43.185C.320, 43.185C.340, 43.330.702, 43.330.710, 43.63A.305, 43.330.726