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Bill to add lived‑experience seats to Office of Homeless Youth advisory committee wins support
Summary
SB 5957 would expand the Office of Homeless Youth advisory committee to add lived‑experience representation and seats for disproportionately affected groups; committee testimony emphasized the value of lived expertise and said costs are minimal.
Senate Bill 5957 would expand the Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) advisory committee to add at least four members, including at least two individuals over age 25 who experienced homelessness or public-systems involvement between ages 12 and 24, and at least two members representing populations disproportionately affected by youth homelessness (for example tribal members, people of color and people with disabilities). The bill also clarifies that a youth representative who turns 25 during a term may complete that term.
Committee testimony from Jim Theophilus (North Star Advocates, chair of the OHY advisory committee) and youth advocates framed the change as a small, cost‑effective way to strengthen the advisory body with lived expertise and ensure diverse representation across geography and identity. Theophilus said the committee originally expected the bill to be budget neutral but received a small fiscal estimate (about $20,000), which the office could likely absorb.
Gage Spicer, a youth advocate and committee member, testified that increasing lived-experience seats will improve accountability and policy design. Supporters asked the Legislature to advance the bill as a practical improvement to advisory structure; Chair Wilson closed the hearing after testimony.
