SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5304
As of January 23, 2025
Title: An act relating to expanding eligibility for the students experiencing homelessness and foster youth program to an accredited tribal college.
Brief Description: Expanding eligibility for the students experiencing homelessness and foster youth program to an accredited tribal college.
Sponsors: Senators Kauffman, Nobles, Frame, Hasegawa, Krishnadasan, Liias, Riccelli, Slatter, Trudeau, Valdez and Wilson, C.; by request of Student Achievement Council.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 1/23/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Expands participation in the Students Experiencing Homelessness and Foster Youth Program to a public tribal college.?
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Staff: Kellee Gunn (786-7429)
Background:

Students Experiencing Homelessness and Foster Youth Program.? In 2019, the Legislature established pilot programs to provide assistance and accommodations to students experiencing homelessness and to students who were in foster care when they graduated from high school.

?

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

  • 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.

?

In 2021 and 2022, the? Students Experiencing Homelessness and Foster Youth Program (program) expanded to additional CTCs and public baccalaureate institutions, for a total of eight CTC institutions and four baccalaureates. In 2023, the program became permanent and made it so all CTCs and the public four-year institutions could participate in the program subject to appropriations.

?

Northwest Indian College. Northwest Indian College's main campus is located on the Lummi Indian Reservation in Washington State, 20 miles south of the Canadian border. It is the only accredited tribal college serving the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Summary of Bill:

The program is expanded to include participation from a public tribal college. The tribal college must be located in Washington and be accredited by NWCCU or another accrediting association recognized by the United States Department of Education.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 18, 2025.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:?For these students, having an opportunity to go to higher education is extraordinary. ?This program provides access to essential facilities, such as laundry, and other accommodations. ?Northwest Indian College?offers services that are culturally relevant and important to these students.?This will fill a gap, ensuring that these students receive accommodations at other public institutions.? According to the WSAC basic needs survey, 90 percent of Northwest Indian College students have indicated food and housing insecurity. Our college does have a food pantry, but our students need more.?

?

I am an enrolled member of Makah Tribe, and am attending Northwest Indian College. When I started my college journey, I was a homeless student, with children, and a widow. I now serve as a student account specialist, helping other students who need help. I was a recipient of student supports, and acknowledge how life changing this support can be.?
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Claudia Kauffman, Prime Sponsor; Joel Anderson, Washington Student Achievement Council; Natasha Brennan, Northwest Indian College; Christina Hoekstra, Northwest Indian College.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.