Allison — Allison is asked to come brief the bill.
Nikki Torres — Senator Nikki Torres is welcomed to the committee and identified as the sponsor of Senate Bill 5977. She then thanks the committee for hearing her bill and explains that it is focused on transparency, accountability, protecting children, and learning from serious incidents to strengthen the child welfare system. She also identifies herself as representing the Floating 15th Legislative District.
SB5977 — Senate Bill 5977, which requires publication of child near-fatality reviews, is introduced and then the public hearing on the bill is closed with no one signed up to testify.
Alison Mandiola — Committee staff briefs Senate Bill 5977.
SB6184 — The committee opens the hearing on Senate Bill 6184, an Office of Homeless Youth agency request bill sponsored by the chair. The bill is described as a no-cost measure that makes technical corrections, streamlines and clarifies statutes governing Office of Homeless Youth programs, and supports youth housing and transitional living efforts. Multiple witnesses testify in support, urging the committee to pass the bill and emphasizing that it will help youth experiencing homelessness, ease transitions out of transitional living programs, and preserve housing supports.
Alison Mendiola — Committee staff begins briefing Senate Bill 6184.
Noel Frame — Addressed as Vice Chair Frame, indicating the committee vice chair is recognized to manage testimony.
Noel Frame — Addressed as Vice Chair Frame in the committee exchange.
Noel Frame — Addressed as Madam Chair in the exchange; asked about the terminology change from street youth.
Noel Frame — Identified as the sponsor of amendment B1.
Casey Hanauer Sutton — Casey Hanauer Sutton was called to the front to testify and then identified themselves for the record as the executive director of the Office of Homeless Youth within the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Jim Theophilus — Jim Theophilus was called to the front and then introduced himself as the Executive Director of North Star Advocates and chair of the Office of Homeless Youth Advisory Council, beginning his testimony in support of Senate Bill 6184.
Samuel Martin — Samuel Martin was called to the front and then testified in support of Senate Bill 6184 on behalf of the Washington Coalition for Homeless Youth Advocacy.
Alex Herr — Listed as testifying in person next.
Gisela Gonzalez — Listed as testifying remotely next.
Gisela Gonzalez — The chair introduces Gisela Gonzalez as the final online testifier, after which she testifies about her background in foster care, adoption, incarceration, and advocacy work. She identifies herself as an 18-year-old trans woman of color and daughter of immigrants. The chair then շնորհs her for sharing her voice.
Jeff Wilson — Chair Wilson is addressed as the committee chair while the witness is being called, and the exchange continues with thanks to Senator Wilson for sponsoring the bill.
Jeff Wilson — Senator Jeff Wilson is repeatedly identified as the sponsor of multiple related legislative items in the same discussion, including Proposed Substitute C, amendment C16, and Senate Bill 6085 along with amendment E1.
Leonard Christian — Leonard Christian is referenced in the committee discussion first as the ranking member, then as the sponsor of amendment A1, and then as the sponsor of the next 11 amendments.
Leonard Christian — Senator Christian first argued that the bill was bad and urged a no vote, then repeatedly moved a series of related amendments (C1 through C5). Across these remarks, he criticized the bill’s lack of transparency and potential for abuse, questioned reliance on outside-compilation of reports, argued the oversight board should produce its own reports and serve as a transparent backstop, and called for stronger reporting, recommendations to the governor and Legislature, and an audit to address concerns about fraud, abuse, and overcrowding.
Alex Hurr — Was called to testify on behalf of an organization, but the sentence cuts off before the organization name is completed.
Alex Hurstifying — Testified on behalf of Communities in Schools of Washington in support of the bill and described wraparound student support services.
SB6184 — A witness testifies in support of SB 6184, emphasizing that housing and support are essential and not a luxury for youth like her. She then asks the committee to pass SB 6184 and choose dignity and real support for youth in need, after which the hearing is closed.
SB5681 — The committee begins its briefing on Senate Bill 5681, which concerns intellectual and developmental disabilities, employment, and access to community inclusion services at age 20. The discussion notes that the bill has a proposed substitute and one amendment, and that it will be referred to Ways and Means.
SB5681 — The committee begins executive session on SB 5681 and notes a proposed substitute and amendment.
Adrian Cortes — Identified as the sponsor of the underlying bill, though the transcript says 'Senator Cortez.'
Jessica Bateman — Identified as the sponsor of Senate Bill 5917.
SB5917 — Senate Bill 5917 is briefed and its amendment details are summarized, including provisions related to abortion medication handling, distribution, labeling, payment, and reporting requirements. The discussion continues through the annual reporting requirement and fiscal note, and concludes with the bill being sent to Rules.
SB5917 — The committee takes up SB 5917 and an amendment to expand the definition of health care entity.
SB5942 — Senate Bill 5942 was introduced as a measure to rename the DCYF Oversight Board to the DCYF Accountability Board and revise its duties and responsibilities. The bill had previously been heard on January 14, carries no fiscal cost, and includes a proposed substitute along with 16 amendments.
SB5942 — The committee moves on to Senate Bill 5942, the DCYF Oversight Board bill, and then discusses the bill’s procedural status, noting that Amendment C-1 and a proposed substitute labeled C are before the committee.
SB6024 — The bill concerns avoiding duplicate DHS audits for community residential providers; no amendments and no fiscal impact were noted.
SB6024 — The committee takes up Senate Bill 6024, Community Residential Services Providers, and moves it forward with a due pass recommendation.
SB6036 — Senate Bill 6036 is introduced as a bill concerning adult family homes and foster care licensees. The discussion explains that it would exempt certain individuals from adult family home licensing requirements under specified foster care circumstances, and no fiscal impact was noted.
SB6036 — The committee moves to Senate Bill 6036 and notes that Amendment D-1 is before it for consideration.
SB6085 — The bill requires DOC to establish feedback mechanisms for incarcerated individuals, families, and affinity groups regarding services and programs.
SB6085 — Senate Bill 6085 is taken up for consideration as the Institutional Welfare Account bill. Debate centers on an amendment that would remove language prohibiting the use of these funds to create and maintain the law library. The discussion concludes with a brief floor opposition statement urging a no vote on the bill.
Suzanne Schmidt — Senator Christian speaks repeatedly during debate on the bill and related amendments, moving and supporting amendments while arguing that the legislation should avoid gaps in services for young people aging out of support, protect disabled and vulnerable populations, and ensure state responsibility and proper use of funds. He objects to provisions he sees as singling out Indian health providers, seeks to preserve state liability for stored drugs, argues Washington taxpayer money should be used for Washington citizens, says the bill does not warrant an emergency clause, and moves further amendment to limit DOC purchases of abortion pills unless there is inmate need.
Liz Berry — Referenced as offering the same amendment on the House side to keep the bills consistent.
Jim Walsh — Offered Amendment B5 and continued to speak in support of amendments.
Jim Walsh — Explained Amendment B6 by comparing expired airplane parts to expired pills and food, arguing expired medications should be destroyed.
Jim Walsh — Argued that expired medications should be destroyed immediately and supported Amendment B6.
Jim Walsh — Was asked to speak to Amendment B7 after the chair corrected the amendment number.
Jim Walsh — Argued that Governor Inslee bypassed the normal budget process in connection with Amendment B7.
Jim Walsh — Said Governor Inslee's purchase of pills was politically motivated and urged passage of Amendment B7.
Jim Walsh — Was asked to speak to Amendment B8 after Amendment B7 failed.
Jim Walsh — Withdrew Amendment B8, saying it was duplicative, then moved to Amendment B9.
Jim Walsh — Described personal experience and argued for Amendment B9, which would allow reversal after taking the first pill.
Jim Walsh — Continued personal testimony about an abortion experience at age 16 in support of Amendment B9.
Jim Walsh — Said Amendment B9 would allow reversal after taking the first pill and referenced his long marriage.