2014 Post-Session Recap
Powerful youth advocates and strong community support help priority legislation succeed in 2014!
Last week, the 2014 legislative session concluded on schedule for the first time since 2008. But for young people across the state, this was the least of the legislature's achievements. The Mockingbird Society entered the session with an ambitious agenda of youth-inspired, community supported priorities. Each of these bills faced uphill battles from the start due to limited funding and the fact that this year's session was only 60 days long, shorter than usual. In fact, all of our priorities faced very real possibilities of failing this year at different points during the session.
But our youth never gave up, and as a result every one of our priorities passed in 2014!
This unprecedented success despite daunting odds is thanks in large part to an incredible community effort to support our youth advocates. All of us at The Mockingbird Society thank you for keeping the pressure on our elected leaders with emails and phone calls. Our collective efforts resulted in reforms that will improve the lives of over 10,000 youth in Washington's foster care system, and more than 30,000 homeless youth across Washington State.
Here are the results of our advocacy in 2014:
Extended Foster Care (HB 2335):After failing to move out of the Appropriations Committee less than two weeks into February, many thought that Extended Foster Care was dead for the year. But no one told that to over 250 youth and allies that came to Olympia for Youth Advocacy Day. Their advocacy proved to be a turning point for the legislation, but it still faced an uphill road to passage. Continued advocacy efforts kept HB 2335 alive until the final day of session, where it moved through the Ways & Means Committee, crossed the Senate floor, and finally received final approval by the House of Representatives as its final act of the session. Retiring Representative Mary Helen Roberts, a true champion for youth and the bill's prime sponsor, had the last word and cast the final vote in favor of the bill. It is hard to overstate how rare it is for a bill go from dead to passed over the course of the final day of session. It has been referred to the Governor's office where it awaits his signature. Once signed and implemented, youth working 80 hours or more per month will be able to enroll in the Extended Foster Care program.
Please send emails thanking these legislators for their leadership!
- Speaker Frank Chopp -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Representative Pat Sullivan -
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Representative Mary Helen Roberts -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Senator Joe Fain -
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Prudent Parent Standard (SB 6479): Early in the session, efforts to move SB 6479 forward hit significant barriers when amendments were added that would have greatly reduced the policy's impact. But our advocates in the Mockingbird Youth Network successfully urged legislators to support compromise language that would maintain the intent of the original bill. It has now been referred to the Governor's office where it awaits his signature. Once signed and implemented, the Prudent Parent Standard will allow foster parents to make safe, responsible decisions related to normal childhood activities on behalf of children in their care. This will reduce the unnecessary delays and barriers that often arise when the state requires a social worker's approval
Please send emails thanking these legislators for their leadership!
- Senator David Frockt -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Representative Ruth Kagi -
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Legal Representation (SB 6126): Washington state currently ranks 48th in the nation when it comes to appointing legal representation for youth in care. The passage of SB 6126 will help us move up out of the basement and help ensure more foster youth have a voice in court. Once signed and implemented, SB 6126 will ensure that the state appoints attorneys for legally free foster youth six months after the parental rights of their birth parents have been terminated, when youth effectively become orphans. This is a great step in the right direction for our youth in care.
Please send emails thanking these legislators for their leadership!
- Senator Steve O'Ban -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Representative Roger Goodman -
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Youth Opportunities Act (HB 1651): Washington State is one of the only states in the nation that actively sells juvenile offense records. This makes pursuing housing, education and employment incredibly difficult for youth trying to move on from a past mistake. Thanks to HB 1651, young people with certain juvenile records will have the chance to make a fresh start upon turning 18. Once signed and implemented, records for many non-violent offenses will be automatically sealed after a young person turns 18 and has fully served his or her sentence. This will help our young people succeed and prevent a path to homelessness or continued criminal activity.
Please email Representative Ruth Kagi at
These victories in the face of adversity are testaments to the strength of our youth advocates, the support of our community and the leadership of our legislative champions. Thank you for your continued advocacy on behalf of our children, youth and families.