Bills of interest to United Ways are getting hearings during this third week of the 2019 Legislative Session. Here's more information.
House Holds Hearing on ECEAP Eligibility Expansion Bill
On Tuesday, Jan. 29, the House Human Services and Early Learning Committee held a public hearing on HB 1351 which would allow, under certain conditions, children with incomes ranging from 111 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, to enroll in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). The same bill also creates a birth-to-three ECEAP pilot project. Here are other bills we're tracking so far and their scheduled hearings.
Sign On to Support More Funding for HEN Program
County providers are incurring wait lists and eligible clients are not being served because current funding for Washington’s Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program is not enough to meet demand. A significant increase of $69 million is needed to ensure that extremely low income people diagnosed with significant, temporary mental illnesses or physical disabilities can meet their basic needs like housing and hygiene while they are unable to work. Here's more information and how you can add your voice to this funding effort
Senate Holds Hearing on Support for Student Parents
On Monday, Jan. 28, the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee held a public hearing on SB 5379, which would allow minors who are parents to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) regardless of income and resources of their parents or guardians. The same bill authorizes full-day Working Connections Child Care during the school year for a minor parent and requires school districts to provide transportation to students who are transporting their infant. Our bill tracking list includes the bill number with a link to more information, a short title and the latest news on that bill.
Legislative Dates to Remember:
- Monday, February 11 - Washington 2-1-1 Lobby Day.
- Tuesday, February 12 - Washington Nonprofits Legislative Reception
- Thursday, February 28 - United Way/Housing Legislative Day