[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6358135,"mediaKeyId","2212808-e5b1946de98a11d8bf55f52e674d4321","parentId",2212808,"title","Committee sends HEN expansion bill to the floor; annual verification and eligibility changes approved","audioSeconds",776,"startMs",120000,"endMs",896000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212808-e5b1946de98a11d8bf55f52e674d4321&start=120&end=896","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212808-e5b1946de98a11d8bf55f52e674d4321/thumbnail_120000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358135/Washington/Committee-sends-HEN-expansion-bill-to-the-floor-annual-verification-and-eligibility-changes-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358135-3f65c3f9385542ecd1601d1e48e8847e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153423&Signature=j7WFXl8bBGXtzoHNr2WLnbpczWGV5xrpBk5A6J~AiQZ7qmreDqatKCD9zO95EL7ZIqb~axbamSv9pBhvyEuhEjrMtnAxbKSa~A8iYnzec87cmta7xmq~A-5oKaLn09S0KR-MBCiKD1~tITMnYmpEKEXBM8l4pnDk-O0oF~0qdMx1AMsGKtWmRHDcLgCNGBSVCB-33lKwPH95m9pF0n49id4-zaAgs3fZGbiK9AsRjbnr3ATT-3FWa0ZUpySjdlyntyKbV3ws1uF~hWS6gm2JkmHrkPhCVpnmBpwSFdmC6hq9BeYG3IxjW8uo6GOM7ddh2GXQqLIx2xAVCs4jS60Z1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Early Learning & Human Services ","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","The Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning Committee reported substitute House Bill 1263 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation by recorded vote (11-0).

Representative Cortez, speaking as sponsor, said the bill expands the HEN (essential needs and housing) program statewide beyond the six-county pilot and streamlines verification requirements. The committee adopted a proposed substitute that revises eligibility language to refer to people transitioning onto federal Social Security or similar federal assistance (rather than specifically “social security disability benefits”), removes a narrowly worded grant of authority to provide benefits under the home security fund in the form of direct cash assistance while retaining the bill’s authorization to provide direct cash assistance under HEN, and changes the verification cadence for HEN support entities from every three months to an annual verification requirement.

Representative Cortez said the changes make the program “a very important lifesaving grama to the entire state versus just the 6 counties that originally had the pilot,” and noted administrative streamlining in verification. Representative Penner and other members voiced support, citing flexibility, efficient resource use and accountability.

The clerk’s roll-call recorded 11 yes votes and no nays. The substitute bill was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation and will proceed for further consideration by the full chamber.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Early Learning & Human Services - 1/31/2025 9:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning Committee on Friday reported substitute House Bill 1263 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation by recorded vote, 11-0.","taxTitle","Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20264,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358140,"Committee advances bill to prioritize housing help for child-welfare families",0,1430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212808-e5b1946de98a11d8bf55f52e674d4321&start=1430&end=1430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212808-e5b1946de98a11d8bf55f52e674d4321/thumbnail_1430000.jpg","/articles/6358140/Washington/Committee-advances-bill-to-prioritize-housing-help-for-child-welfare-families","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358140-41b404dee23abe4bf662d70c90f852bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153423&Signature=ZxCesMxGsGeCIaZzUHx9Pn9OBfvymFSjqmW9tyMGkYsmG9KhjH3fAwxE9oduRSNUg1juZX87BBCA~OzKXIoEB3JqsIPnBdOB9wGXRRrbRFyeBxygFXsscI2fNIi~eb1JHMAPaM-25oApulWl4Smn6cbNPe0iJB2kPWeHgTDXzVdmvabJq6M4SumZIYczs4fDExeQhsf1lXNBVXgo4Odz3ygiCv78-FAL4Ll9DFCrv0tEkrgljbrH3PPOhohKzbe7TQVtJKFH7NZ5o1yhUTwRLO195peU9pgDZt55ttEe8yHiwX7VcaTb~P~ks3xpRSgFImtr94xH54obhhg7jTicGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning Committee on Friday voted to report substitute House Bill 1177 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation, 8-3.

The bill, which concerns the Child Welfare Housing Assistance Program and how the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) refers families to housing assistance, was amended in committee by Wickham 667. The amendment removed a provision that would have required the department to increase the number of households served by 200 in the upcoming biennium and instead requires the program to prioritize families on its waiting list and makes that prioritization subject to appropriation.

The amendment’s sponsor, Representative Ortiz Self, described the change as a budgetary flexibility measure while retaining the bill’s central aim. Representative Ortiz Self said, “This amendment gives flexibility for the fiscal note. As we know, it's a tight budget year, still emphasizing the priority of the wait list and the crux of the bill, but giving the flexibility for fiscal. It also clarifies that the department doesn't have to refer every single person to this program, that it is one of the options that they have.”

Representative Dent and two other members voiced opposition in committee, with Dent saying he had concerns raised by constituents and would vote no for now. After roll-call, the clerk announced an 8 yes, 3 no tally; Representatives Burnett, Dent and Penner voted no.

The committee’s action incorporates the adopted Wickham 667 amendment into the substitute bill and forwards the measure with a due-pass recommendation. No appropriation was attached in committee; the amendment makes the expansion contingent on appropriation rather than automatic.

The bill now moves to the next stage of the legislative process for further consideration by the full chamber.","The Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning Committee reported substitute House Bill 1177 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation after adopting an amendment that replaces a required 200-household expansion with a prioritization of families on the program waiting list, subject to appropriation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358121,"Committee advances changes to child fatality review process despite fiscal concerns from some members",228,1284000,1512000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212808-e5b1946de98a11d8bf55f52e674d4321&start=1284&end=1512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212808-e5b1946de98a11d8bf55f52e674d4321/thumbnail_1284000.jpg","/articles/6358121/Washington/Committee-advances-changes-to-child-fatality-review-process-despite-fiscal-concerns-from-some-members","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358121-81ed9ebf54d102673f65523bdbb95d14/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153423&Signature=mJC39g50SNF8Nz2~fdeVyFBajXnhd5Sp~W4jyIZFGg1BFJ74o3sPoN8B~mvLRpCNx20eGULTQOid22PX4B3DFDfwySeg5GM~rhQlFie~0bktnFjqQs6wC-soaYiLRHGtU7IVGzNytr9Y-dNyyMgKg5NZP0g~Bw2v0lNvO3SWQECq~M6PCiARe3nbLlRtwaq~YwZ67MjNr5LZ0tqQf53LThItrbctDi~CmIevOySa7RP5rvP54VTIJPZeNTa7nf~sVKiOhYrlAURs81-ulvgwkNLfwpRhw-9-4WbhDxE7no9egrd~tUoHSZiymJHCNtjbd84I5pdEqHbWsFziJx4ddA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning Committee reported House Bill 1459 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation by recorded vote, 8-3.

Representative Birnbaum, the bill sponsor, described HB 1459 as making “a series of small changes” to the county-level child fatality review process that could improve system-level learning after child deaths. Supporters said the goal is prevention by learning from past fatal cases.

Representative Dent and other members on the minority side raised concerns about the fiscal note and the potential need for additional staff (an FTE), saying the cost implications were unclear and that they would vote no until those concerns were resolved. In the recorded roll-call, Representatives Burnett, Dent and Penner voted no without recommendation. The clerk announced a tally of 8 ayes and 3 nays without recommendation.

The committee reported the bill out of committee with a due-pass recommendation; further fiscal detail will be considered in subsequent stages.","House Bill 1459, which makes procedural changes to county child fatality review hearings, was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation (8-3). Some members expressed concern about the fiscal note and potential added staff costs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358125,"Committee removes emergency clause and advances mobile market bill to allow produce access with WIC participation",1039,263000,1302000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212808-e5b1946de98a11d8bf55f52e674d4321&start=263&end=1302","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212808-e5b1946de98a11d8bf55f52e674d4321/thumbnail_263000.jpg","/articles/6358125/Washington/Committee-removes-emergency-clause-and-advances-mobile-market-bill-to-allow-produce-access-with-WIC-participation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358125-b950fa2dab902a77dd69e04820a974ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153423&Signature=n2pS4vAZ2HWr0~avxUzogqgJqxfrQgGKwXuDSL-IagBWEeqAjLiHMhOc-pAXi0UBEzk3VrvLNHzjOEKQqRVuHJ9SaPByTOg8JFKNKZFlrnrCJT4U7jg5RUlwnIiWJ3ueLbVYHuoIg1N02wWMCaZObg8Lk2MC7bd58IMl8NFFyKhsISQi4~uUTgWtW8a~Tg9Ei6LbXwLI8Uj0AOiZHEXdMohNFxcVwj9lTZoOOpYXu5750uVtOuJd6-QpCM8d77bNx5CTrCGid9g16RqdjSQsBkj694vxW3uCuT4aTLQOutkRjWvDyml9jlqVVEtHQ2HpnVWpDywp5ZEO140Lu8P-sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning Committee reported substitute House Bill 1388 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation by recorded vote, 11-0. The committee adopted amendment Wickham 664, which removes the bill’s emergency clause and gives agencies time for rulemaking.

Representative Birnbaum described HB 1388 as a measure to create a mobile market program that helps seniors and low-income residents in areas with limited access to fresh produce to use WIC benefits and buy fruits and vegetables. At one point during staff briefing, an amendment was described as delaying an effective date to March 1, 2026; on final action the committee adopted Wickham 664, described by the mover as removing the emergency clause to allow agency rulemaking.

Representative Birnbaum said the program “will allow food deserts in Washington state to access WIC dollars when they're selling produce to folks, primarily senior citizens, who otherwise may not be able to access farmers markets and other places they can buy fresh fruits and vegetables.” Francine Rasmussen, speaking in support, said the program helps farmers and rural consumers and expressed support for the measure.

The substitute bill, with the adopted amendment, was reported out of committee and will proceed to further legislative consideration.","Substitute House Bill 1388, which creates a mobile market program to expand produce access in food-insecure areas and enable acceptance of WIC benefits, was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation after adoption of an amendment removing the bill’s emergency clause to allow time for rulemaking.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358130,"Committee approves change to ECAP enrollment age language to match agency rules",839,205000,1044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212808-e5b1946de98a11d8bf55f52e674d4321&start=205&end=1044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212808-e5b1946de98a11d8bf55f52e674d4321/thumbnail_205000.jpg","/articles/6358130/Washington/Committee-approves-change-to-ECAP-enrollment-age-language-to-match-agency-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358130-d9beaa148ed3387496228b0c1fd03ed6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153423&Signature=M6O~jQXRD5uADYf7tRi8pgXOf0s0KnWyD-J6LjFbeVuEO1qK1lWbty1Nsu5pOmeI6u7aYkLbeLtAnPetp1ioOu9j426DV0X8ftLuSBsiN~8L0mQ3V68oT4kD91EPJxXfKER7~Prt-amsIyrEtQuHH4rX5FAvIwlp1~QwNPsw8vbCqNtrv0smW1vohfrFIVBwc9KaS4acoeveOjOaZB1Cc0jZ~n3jwgv~KTyZDCQNuwKX-9yWRJXcUMLcCyOav-KusmItINRwG7UrFafwwBQMbLQJjyQWVg1nFzajqrRpiEnw4uCRPaPg4ld~fPANK2PbDnmbbNREueRc2zVVRfPhPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning Committee reported substitute House Bill 1351 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation by recorded vote, 11-0.

The substitute specifies that children must have actually turned 3 years old to enroll in ECAP (the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) under the additional allowed enrollment criteria. It also aligns statutory language with current agency rules and practice standards that require children to be 3 years old by Aug. 31 of the school year to enroll under standard eligibility criteria.

Representative Birnbaum, speaking in support, described the change as a small improvement that helps use excess classroom space and brings statute into alignment with Department of Children, Youth and Families practices. Ranking Member Eslick also voiced support, noting that empty ECAP seats are being paid for and should be used.

The substitute bill was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation and will proceed to further legislative consideration.","Substitute House Bill 1351, which aligns statute with agency rules by requiring children be 3 years old to enroll in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECAP) under certain criteria, was reported out of committee unanimously (11-0).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee sends HEN expansion bill to the floor; annual verification and eligibility changes approved

Committee advances bill to prioritize housing help for child-welfare families

Committee advances changes to child fatality review process despite fiscal concerns from some members

Committee removes emergency clause and advances mobile market bill to allow produce access with WIC participation

Committee approves change to ECAP enrollment age language to match agency rules