Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
King County Council adopts Youth Bill of Rights after youth-led drafting process
Summary
The council adopted a declaration of rights for young people, the King County Youth Bill of Rights, following testimony from young leaders and project participants who helped draft the document.
The Metropolitan King County Council on Tuesday adopted Proposed Substitute Motion 2024-0276, the King County Youth Bill of Rights, a policy declaration developed with participation from the county’s Children and Youth Advisory Board and youth leaders across the region.
Councilmember Dombowski, a sponsor of the motion, said the Youth Bill of Rights grew from the county’s prior youth action planning work and had been developed by young people. During the public hearing, several youth and advisory-board members described their participation in community “cafés,” drafting sessions and outreach to youth commissions in other jurisdictions.
The adopted declaration enumerates several rights and priorities put forward by young people, including access to basic needs and health care; equitable education; safety and belonging; a healthy environment; access to transportation and recreation; and youth participation in policymaking. Speakers emphasized the Bill of Rights is intended to be a living policy tool to guide future county investments and to inform an updated county youth action plan.
Young leaders, including members of the Children and Youth Advisory Board, urged the council to adopt the bill and to use it as a touchstone for the county’s next round of youth-focused programming and budget decisions. Councilmember Dombowski said the motion will help guide future county policy and investments for children and youth.
The council adopted the motion on a recorded vote (8 ayes; one member excused). Supporters said the declaration will help ensure youth voices are included in future policymaking and service planning.
Votes at a glance: Proposed Substitute Motion 2024-0276 (King County Youth Bill of Rights) — adopted; recorded vote 8 ayes, 0 nays, 1 excused.
The motion requests that county departments use the declaration as a framework for youth policy and that the Children and Youth Advisory Board continue to support implementation and engagement.
