HB 2594 — Ensuring that unhoused children and youths in Washington have equal access to free, appropriate public education.

H-3429.1H-2651.2 SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2594 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By House Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Reeves, McEntire, Leavitt, Pollet, and Scott)Scott READRead FIRSTfirst TIMEtime 02/04/26.01/20/26.

Referred to Committee on Education.

1 SHBHB 2594 same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youths;

2 SHBHB 2594 the term "school of origin" includes the designated receiving school at the next grade level for all feeder schools.

3 SHBHB 2594 coursework satisfactorily completed while attending a prior school, in accordance with state, local, and school policies;

4 SHBHB 2594 or in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the school district liaison, to and from the school of origin, as determined in accordance with section 401 of this act, and in accordance with the following, as applicable:

5 SHBHB 2594 NEW SECTION.

6 SHBHB 2594 (d) In the case of an unaccompanied youth, ensure that the school district liaison designated under section 301(1)(j)(ii) of this act assists in placement or enrollment decisions under this subsection, gives priority to the views of such unaccompanied youth, and provides notice to such youth of the right to appeal under subsection (5) of this section.

7 SHBHB 2594 written explanation of any decisions related to school selection or enrollment made by the school, the school district, or the office of the superintendent of public instruction, including the rights of the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth to appeal such decisions;

8 SHBHB 2594 (a) The provision of services under this chapter with local social services agencies and other agencies or entities providing services to homeless children and youths and their families, including services and programs funded under the runaway and homeless youth act, 42 U.S.C.

9 SHBHB 2594 (c) Homeless families and homeless children and youths have access to and receive educational services for which such families, children, and youths are eligible, including services through head start programs, including early head start programs under the head start act, 42 U.S.C.

10 SHBHB 2594 the school district liaison to receive verification of such status for purposes of the free application for federal student aid described in 20 U.S.C.

11 SHBHB 2594 (2) The coordinator for education of homeless children and youths established in accordance with either applicable federal law, this section, or both, shall:

12 SHBHB 2594 and providers of services and programs funded under the runaway and homeless youth act, 42 U.S.C.

(1) The office of the superintendent of public instructioninstruction: shall, directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, periodically collect and disseminate data and information regarding:

(a) Shall assist school districts to implement the provisions related to homeless children and youths established in this chapter and applicable federal requirements in support of education for homeless children and youths;

and (b) May review and revise state policies and procedures that may present barriers to the identification of homeless children and p.

13 HB 2594 youths, and the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youths in school.

(2) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall, directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, periodically collect and disseminate data and information regarding:

p.(c) The extent to which the needs of homeless children and youths are being met;

13 SHB 2594 (c) The extent to which the needs of homeless children and youths are being met;

(2)(3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall coordinate such collection and dissemination with other agencies and entities that receive assistance and administer programs under the McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act, 42 U.S.C.

(3) The requirements of subsections (1) and (2) of this section do not apply if equivalent requirements in the McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act, 42 U.S.C.

Secs.

11431-11435 are assigned to the secretary of the United States department of education.

(b) Must, to the maximum extent practicable, be provided through existing programs and mechanisms that integrate homeless children and youths with nonhomeless children and youths;

and (c) Must be designed to expand or improve services provided as part of a school's regular academic program, but not to replace such services provided under such program.

14 SHBHB 2594 (3)(b) IfMust, servicesto underthe subsectionmaximum (1)extent ofpracticable, thisbe sectionprovided arethrough providedexisting onprograms schooland grounds,mechanisms thethat relatedintegrate schools:homeless children and youths with nonhomeless children and youths;

and (c) Must be designed to expand or improve services provided as part of a school's regular academic program, but not to replace such services provided under such program.

(3) If services under subsection (1) of this section are provided on school grounds, the related schools:

(c) An assurance that the school district's combined fiscal effort per student, or the aggregate expenditures of that school district and the state with respect to the provision of free public education by such school district for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the determination is made, was not less than 90 percent of such combined fiscal effort or aggregate expenditures for p.

15 SHBHB 2594 (c) An assurance that the school district's combined fiscal effort per student, or the aggregate expenditures of that school district and the state with respect to the provision of free public education by such school district for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the determination is made, was not less than 90 percent of such combined fiscal effort or aggregate expenditures for the second fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the determination is made;

(ii)p. The extent to which the application reflects coordination with other local and state agencies that serve homeless children and youths;

16 HB 2594 (ii) The extent to which the application reflects coordination with other local and state agencies that serve homeless children and youths;

and p.(iv) Such other criteria as the office of the superintendent of public instruction determines appropriate.

16 SHB 2594 (iv) Such other criteria as the office of the superintendent of public instruction determines appropriate.

(8) A school district may use funds awarded under this section for activities that carry out the purpose of this chapter, including the following:

(a) The provision of tutoring, supplemental instruction, and enriched educational services that are linked to the achievement of the same challenging state academic standards as the state establishes for other children and youths;

17 SHBHB 2594 (b)(8) TheA provisionschool ofdistrict expeditedmay evaluationsuse offunds theawarded strengthsunder andthis needssection of homeless children and youths, including needs and eligibility for programsactivities andthat services,carry suchout asthe educationalpurpose programsof forthis highlychapter, capableincluding students, children with disabilities, and English learners, services provided under Title I of the elementaryfollowing: and secondary education act of 1965, 20 U.S.C.

(a) The provision of tutoring, supplemental instruction, and enriched educational services that are linked to the achievement of the same challenging state academic standards as the state establishes for other children and youths;