Committee hears bill to expand youth and young-adult voices on homeless youth advisory council

House Bill 2185, presented Tuesday to the Early Learning and Human Services Committee, would expand the Homeless Youth Advisory Council to add at least two members aged over 25 with lived experience and at least two representatives of populations disproportionately affected by youth homelessness.

Committee counsel Luke Wickham told members the Office of Homeless Youth within the Department of Commerce currently consults the council and the bill would broaden membership, allow youth representatives up to age 25, and permit a young adult who turns 25 during their term to finish that term.

Viola Ware, director of housing at Olympic Community Action Partnerships and vice chair of the advisory committee, said the change will “bring more voices to the table” and stressed the measure does not change the advisory committee’s nonbinding role or require significant new resources. “If there is any fiscal impact attached to this bill, it will be minimal,” Ware said.

Jim Theophilus, founder of North Star Advocates and chair of the Office of Homeless Youth Advisory Committee, urged passage and described Washington as a leader in preventing youth homelessness. Theophilus said the bill adds seats to ensure representation from parents, youth of color, people with disabilities, tribal affiliates and rural communities.

The committee closed the public hearing on HB 2185 with no recorded questions that changed the bill’s scope and moved on to the next item on the agenda.

Next steps: the committee may schedule further action or amendments; no formal vote was recorded during the hearing.