Bill > SB5639

This bill expands tuition and fee waivers at public higher education institutions in Washington state to include children of parents who were victims of homicide. Specifically, the bill allows children who were state residents at the time of their parent's homicide and were subsequently involved in a dependency proceeding to receive tuition and fee exemptions at state universities, regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and community and technical colleges. These students can receive the waiver for up to six academic years. The bill also mandates that the Washington State Institute for Public Policy conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of this tuition waiver on children who have lost a parent to homicide, examining their educational outcomes, health outcomes, and interactions with the legal system. The institute is required to submit a preliminary report by December 1, 2031, and a final evaluation report by December 1, 2035. This legislation builds upon existing tuition waiver programs for children of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other public service workers who have died or become disabled in the line of duty, and aims to provide additional support for children who have experienced the trauma of parental homicide.

Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5639&Year=2025&Initiative=false