2026 Legislative Priorities
The 2026 Legislative Session is well underway and we want to share some legislation and budget items that we’re keeping an eye on this year!
Legislative Priorities
Individualized Justice for Youth Act: HB 2389/SB 6062 (King County Department of Public Defense, Stand for Children, Legal Counsel for Youth and Children)
For most offenses, before sending a youth to juvenile prison, it would require a specific finding from a judge that community supervision, with the option of extended house arrest, would not adequately protect the community. It expands the range of offenses eligible for suspended sentencing (in which youth are put on probation with the youth prison time hanging over their head). Additionally, it requires at least one midpoint review hearing for certain sentences over 12 months so that the judge can learn how the youth is doing in JR, what services they are receiving, and whether they can be released on probation.
Codify McKinney-Vento Protections in Washington State Law: HB 2594
Pass state legislation that enshrines federal McKinney-Vento protections into Washington law. Without these safeguards, students experiencing homelessness risk losing the educational stability they depend on.
Eliminate isolation and reduce chemical/mechanical restraint: HB 1795/SB 5654
This bill continues efforts to eliminate isolation and reduce chemical/mechanical restraint.
Budget Priorities
Systemic Transformative Justice and Prevention
Protect and defend youth homelessness and human services funding:
Washington saw a 40% reduction in the count of homeless young adults and homeless minors. This success is built on prevention-focused strategies and interventions, including wraparound, legal, financial, and school-based support. Our state cannot afford to move backwards. Now, more than ever, we need the state to protect these crucial investments.
Keep our neighbors housed by securing $3 million in maintenance level funding to continue the Right to Counsel program that provides essential access to justice and support for those navigating the eviction court process. This funding was in the Governor’s supplemental budget and should remain in the final budget agreement.
Extended Foster Care Housing Assistance: SB 5940/HB 2455: Creates a two-year Extended Foster Care Housing Voucher Pilot to provide rental assistance to up to 50 young people who are enrolled in Extended Foster Care and experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness. The pilot allows youth to remain connected to Extended Foster Care while receiving housing support rather than forcing them to exit care to access federal housing programs. By stabilizing housing during a critical transition period and preserving eligibility for federal vouchers at age 21, SB 5940 strengthens permanency, improves outcomes, and reduces the risk of chronic homelessness among young people still in the state’s care.
Youth Development Fund Bill: SB5992/HB 2484
The Youth Development Fund is a central container for future investments in positive youth development programming that will increase fiscal transparency and visibility to the sector.
Legislation We Oppose
Efforts to roll back the Youth Access to Counsel (YAC) program:
Since 2021, the Youth Access to Counsel Program has provided legal counsel to more than 6,500 young people across Washington. 95% of calls made to the hotline are answered in less than 2 minutes, ensuring prompt response in moments of crisis. Research shows that youth are highly susceptible to pressure, making interactions with law enforcement stressful and even damaging, sometimes leading to false confessions. J-WAY (Justice for Washington Youth coalition) and CHOOSE 180 strongly oppose any legislative effort aimed at eliminating the crucial protections offered by the YAC program.
Efforts to roll back JR to 25:
Brain development research continues to tell us that young people’s brains are still developing and have complex, unique needs. The JR-to-25 policy, passed in 2018, aligned Washington’s JR system with national research and ensured youth receive critical education, programming and behavioral health support necessary to ensure they leave incarceration as productive members of our society. Rolling back JR-to-25 would bring Washington out of step with national research and best practices.