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Governor Gregoire Signs Legislation to Support Foster Youth

For Immediate Release: May 4, 2007

OLYMPIA - Governor Chris Gregoire today signed into law several measures that will improve opportunities for young people who have been in foster care. The legislation creates the �Passport to College� program for former foster youth, extends health care coverage until the age of 21 and provides housing stipends to low-income young adults who have been in foster care.

�My passion for child welfare has guided my career � one of my first jobs out of college was as a caseworker and, as Governor, I still work every day to improve the lives of Washington children,� said Governor Gregoire. �These bills open doors, offer hope and expand opportunities for some of our most vulnerable young adults as they move forward with their lives and become contributing members of our Washington economy.�

The Passport to College program includes measures to help attract more foster youth to college and to keep them in college through graduation. The health coverage bill provides health care coverage to foster youth until their twenty-first birthday. The housing bill creates the �Independent Youth Housing Program,� which will provide housing stipends and case management services to low-income young adults ages 18 - 23 who have been in foster care.

Governor Gregoire also signed into law a measure that defines disability within the Washington law against discrimination. The bill restores the anti-discrimination protections put at risk by the Supreme Court decision in McClarty v. Totem Electric and makes it clear that people with disabilities will continue to enjoy equal rights and privileges in Washington.

Bill Action Today

Governor Gregoire today signed the following bills into law:

  • ESHB 1131 - Relating to helping former foster care youth gain postsecondary education and providing scholarships to former foster care youth for this purpose. Sponsored by Rep. Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish); passed the House with 78 votes and passed the Senate with 47 votes; takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislative session.
  • 2SHB 1201 - Relating to extending Medicaid coverage for foster care youth who reach age eighteen. Sponsored by Rep. Mary Helen Roberts (D-Lynnwood); passed the House with 93 votes and passed the Senate with 47 votes; takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislative session.
  • 2SHB 1922 - Relating to creating an independent youth housing program. Sponsored by Rep. Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle); passed the House with 65 votes and passed the Senate with 33 votes; takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislative session.
  • SSB 5340 - Relating to the definition of disability in the Washington law against discrimination. Sponsored by Sen. Adam Kline (D-Seattle); passed the Senate with 46 votes and passed the House with 62 votes; takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislative session.


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