Legislative Session Update on SB 5082 (EFC) - March 2025

The following is a message from our Public Policy & Advocacy Director, Charles Smith

Dear Mockingbird Community,

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Senate Bill 5082. Unfortunately, our bill did not pass and did not make it through the cutoff into the Ways and Means Committee.

We knew from the start of this legislative session that given the state’s significant $13 billion budget deficit, the successful passage of our bill would be an uphill battle. Despite this challenge, I want to emphasize that our strategy, advocacy efforts, and most importantly, the powerful and compelling testimonies shared by our Mockingbird Society young people positioned us well.

From the beginning, our goal was to hold the state accountable and ensure it upholds its obligation to provide safe, stable housing for young people in Extended Foster Care — youth who are, in fact, in the state’s care. Sadly, the state has continued to fall short in meeting these critical needs.

Throughout this process, we worked closely with our legislative champion, Senator Claire Wilson, who has been nothing short of incredible. Her unwavering dedication to this cause and her commitment to amplifying the voices and needs of young people have been remarkable.

Given the budget constraints, we were asked to make concessions in our bill. After thoughtful deliberation, we agreed to include subject to appropriations language specifically for young people in Extended Foster Care who were at risk of homelessness, while prioritizing those who were already experiencing homelessness. While not ideal, we believed this compromise maintained the integrity of our efforts by ensuring support for young people facing the greatest housing instability.

For those unfamiliar, "subject to appropriations" means that funding for these services would be contingent on the availability of resources within the state budget. In other words, even though the language would establish these supports in law, they would only be implemented if funds were available — adding an additional layer of uncertainty for the young people who desperately need stable housing.

However, we were later asked to make additional cuts that would have significantly undermined the bill’s intent. Further reductions — particularly limiting support to those already experiencing homelessness — would have severely weakened the bill and compromised its core purpose. After careful consideration and conversations with our policy team, legal partners, community stakeholders, and young people, we made the difficult but necessary decision to stand firm and not concede further. We could not risk losing the very heart of what this bill sought to achieve.

While this outcome is disappointing, our commitment to ensuring young people in Extended Foster Care receive the housing stability they deserve has not wavered. We remain steadfast in our efforts and will continue to explore every opportunity to push this work forward.

One thing is certain — and this was echoed by Senator Claire Wilson — "Senate Bill 5082 was the right bill with the right intent, and Mockingbird Society and its young people should be proud of their efforts and advocacy. Stay in this fight and bring this bill forward again in 2026."

I assure you, we will bring this bill back in 2026. This is not the end — it is part of the journey toward ensuring young people in Extended Foster Care receive the housing stability they deserve.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication and commitment.