WashingtonWashington law protects foster youths’ benefits and sets account rules
Starting January 1, 2027, the department cannot use covered benefits to repay care costs and must help eligible young adults check for and manage Social Security benefits.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2027, the department may not use covered benefits or funds paid to or for a person in extended foster care to repay that person’s care.
For young adults in extended foster care who are not already receiving Social Security, the department must check whether they may qualify and help them receive and manage any benefits they qualify for.
When a person’s funds held by the department exceed $2,000, the department may put them in an eligible protected account, such as a Washington ABLE account.
Argument forYoung adults in extended foster care could keep covered benefits from being used to repay their care, leaving more money for their own needs.
Argument againstIf no suitable person is found, the department may manage a young adult’s benefits, which could limit that person’s control over the money.
More detail
The department may not apply covered benefits or funds toward the cost of care. This covers benefits, payments, funds, or accruals paid to or for a person in extended foster care. This rule begins January 1, 2027.
The department must assess possible Social Security eligibility and help with benefits and money management. This applies to people ages 18 to 21 in the department’s care under extended foster care who are not already receiving Social Security benefits, including disability, retirement, or survivors benefits. If the young adult needs added help managing benefits, the department must make reasonable efforts to find a suitable person to serve as an authorized representative. If no suitable person is found, the department may serve in that role until one is identified. It may hire an outside organization to manage the accounts.
The department may deposit a person’s money in a qualifying protected account. This applies to money held by the department secretary as custodian for a person placed with the department or a contracted entity. The account must be one the person is eligible for, such as a Washington ABLE account or a similar account. The account option applies when the person’s funds exceed $2,000.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 18Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 18Chapter 92, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 18Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Major
- Mar 10President signed.Passed House
- Mar 9Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#23). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Senate concurred in House amendments.
- Mar 5Third reading, passed; yeas, 93; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 3.Minor
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#3). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 5Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.
- Mar 4Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Mar 2Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Mar 2Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Mar 2APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Early Learning & Human Services.Minor
- Mar 2Public hearing and executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 25Referred to Appropriations.Minor
- Feb 24Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 24ELHS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).Minor
- Feb 24Executive action taken in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 18Public hearing in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 17First reading, referred to Early Learning & Human Services.Minor
- Feb 13Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#23). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 13Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 131st substitute bill substituted (HS 26).Major
- Feb 12Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 9Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 9WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Human Services.Minor
- Feb 9Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 5Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 21Referred to Ways & Means.Minor
- Jan 20And refer to Ways & Means.Minor
- Jan 20HS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Jan 20Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 14Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 12First reading, referred to Human Services.Minor
- 2025
- Dec 17Prefiled for introduction.Introduced
Disability Rights