Bill > HB2529

This bill reconstitutes the existing oversight board for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) into the Department of Children, Youth, and Families Accountability Board, aiming to modernize its structure and clarify its authority. The new board will retain its independent accountability role but will operate with updated responsibilities focused on policy review, performance monitoring, and public transparency, while removing outdated provisions. The bill establishes the board within the Office of Financial Management for administrative purposes, outlines a diverse membership including legislative representatives, subject matter experts, tribal representatives, and individuals with lived experience in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and details its powers, such as requesting information from the department and the office of the family and children's ombuds, and determining if the department is meeting its performance measures. It also addresses confidentiality, meeting requirements, and compensation for board members, and mandates a biennial report to the legislature assessing the department's progress on performance measures. Additionally, the bill makes conforming changes to existing law, removing outdated language related to the board's establishment and duties, and clarifies definitions.

Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2529&Year=2025&Initiative=false