Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council

Last updated
Washington Legislative Youth Advisory Council
AbbreviationLYAC
Formation2005
Founder Washington State Legislature
TypeGovernmental organization
PurposeCivic education, advocacy
Region
Washington State
Website walyac.org

The Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) is the official nonpartisan youth advisory body to the Washington State Legislature on issues related to young people in Washington. Created in July 2005, it consists of approximately 22 members, each serving a two-year term. According to state law, the mission of LYAC is to "examine issues of importance to youth, including but not limited to education, employment, strategies to increase youth participation in state and municipal government, safe environments for youth, substance abuse, emotional and physical health, foster care, poverty, homelessness, and youth access to services on a statewide and municipal basis." [1]

Contents

LYAC is administered by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Washington. From 2020 to 2021, the Council was administered in collaboration with the nonprofit Washington State Leadership Board. [2] In addition to its work with the legislature, LYAC has collaborated with other state government agencies, including the Office of the Attorney General of Washington, the Washington State Department of Health, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

History

Funding and Administration

LYAC was initially proposed by 12-year-old Alex Jonlin, who envisioned a “bureau of children’s opinions” to finally incorporate youth into discussions of major youth policy. [3] Jonlin worked with his state senator, Ken Jacobsen, to create an organization founded on authentic youth engagement and involvement. With the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 5254 in 2005, LYAC was established as a pilot program with a sunset clause which took effect in 2007. Then-Governor Christine Gregoire, in collaboration with the legislature, appointed the first 22 members. The OSPI was designated to provide staff support and administration, but no funding was offered by the legislature to support this. However, unpaid cooperation between Washington State Senate staff, OSPI staff, and LYAC enabled the students to launch the initiative successfully. [4]

In 2007, with the passage of House Bill (HB) 1052, LYAC's sunset clause was moved back to 2009. This legislation also adjusted the member appointment process, so that the council itself selected new youth members based on its own established criteria. New acceptances were notified by the Lieutenant Governor. HB 1052 also codified the ability of LYAC to accept grants and donations. [5] The 2007-2009 legislative budget also included dedicated funding to LYAC for the first time, in addition to a Civic Education Travel Grant from the OSPI that allowed students to travel from around the state to take part in LYAC-hosted events.

In 2009, the sunset clause was removed entirely. [6] However, due to the ongoing Recession, LYAC lost its funding from the legislature and was entirely dependent on the support of volunteers and private donations. [7] It was not until 2019 that the council once again began receiving appropriations from the state. [8] In 2020, a new law was passed allowing collaboration in the facilitation of LYAC between the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Washington State Leadership Board, a nonprofit authorized by state law. [9]

A LYAC member testifies in a committee hearing. Nadine Testifying.jpg
A LYAC member testifies in a committee hearing.

Successful Legislation

One of the codified responsibilities of LYAC is to advise the legislature on "proposed and pending legislation." [4] As a result, each year the council lobbies legislators and testifies in committee hearings on behalf of legislation it feels positively impacts youth. LYAC also writes and passes its own legislation, such as HB 1373. Below is a non-comprehensive list of LYAC-endorsed legislation that has passed into law.

Successful Legislation Endorsed by LYAC [7]
BillPurposeYear Passed
SB 5093Expands healthcare opportunities for low-income youth2007
HB 1131Provides children in foster care access to college financial aid2007
HB 1201Expands Medicaid access to 21-year-olds2007
SB 5297Ensures scientifically accurate sexual education in schools2007
SB 5098Guarantees college tuition for certain low-income youth2007
SB 5991Requires employees of higher education institutions to report observations of child abuse2012
SB 5895Standardizes evaluation systems for teachers and principals2012
HB 1291Establishes a council to combat sex trafficking2013
HB 1404Establishes a penalty for retail liquor licenses when alcohol is sold to those under 212013
HB 1412Requires school districts to provide incentives for students who participate in community service2013
HB 1651Protects privacy for juvenile court records2014
HB 1724Prohibits statements made by a juvenile during a mental health screening from being admitted as evidence2014
HB 1682Creates a grant program to sponsor school-housing partnerships for homeless youth2016
HB 1513Establishes voter pre-registration for teens age 16 and 17 at the DMV and other government entities2018
SB 5395Requires comprehensive sexual education in public schools [10] 2020
SB 6066Expands access to ethnic studies materials and resources for public school students in K-62020
HB 1660Closes the gap in extracurricular participation by low income students2020
HB 1373Promotes student access to information about behavioral health resources2021
HB 1356Prohibits the use of Native American names, symbols, or images as public school mascots2021
HB 1365Procures computers and devices for public schools students and staff2021
SB 5044Includes equity, cultural competency, and anti-racism in teacher professional learning2021
HB 1140Requires juvenile access to attorneys when contacted by law enforcement2021
HB 1225Expands funding and support for school-based health centers2021
HB 1302Expands the College in the High School program2021
SB 5299Allows the use of computer science credits for graduation2021

Activities of the Council

RCW 43.15.095 outlines the council's duties as follows:

Attendees at the 2017 Action Day Action Day Attendees.jpg
Attendees at the 2017 Action Day

However, the projects LYAC has pursued in recent years have expanded much beyond its minimum duties. In 2008, the council launched Action Day, an annual event that has since brought together thousands of youth from around the state to the Washington State Capitol. Attendees of the event have had the chance to listen to speakers including, but not limited to: Governor Jay Inslee, Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, Secretary of State Kim Wyman, State Treasurer Mike Pelliciotti, Assistant Majority Whip Senator Claire Wilson, Secretary of the Senate Brad Hendrickson, Educational Consultant Erin Jones, and Mockingbird Society Executive Director Annie Blackledge. At Action Day, attendees also have the opportunity to learn from workshops hosted by LYAC, connect with peers from around the state, and apply newly learned skills in advocacy meetings with legislators. [11]

LYAC has also hosted other events, including town halls and workshops about the McCleary Decision, civic engagement, the council's legislative priorities, and nonverbal communication. During the 2020 election, the council hosted virtual interviews with the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor about youth issues. [12]

LYAC frequently supports task forces and work groups hosted by various state government agencies. In 2019, the council advised the OSPI's Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Workgroup, whose recommendations led to SB 5395, which required comprehensive sexual education in public schools. [13] LYAC endorsed and lobbied for the successful bill, which was later reaffirmed with the passage of Washington Referendum 90. The efforts were later covered in Teen Vogue . [10] In 2020, the council partnered with the Washington state Office of the Attorney General on the creation of a 24-hour statewide hotline for receiving information related to youth safety and well-being. The same year, members advised the state Department of Health on COVID-19 vaccine distribution prioritization and worked with the OSPI on its From Seed to Apple initiative.

LYAC collaborates year-round with many community organizations around the state in order to more accurately represent youth opinion, support the mission of those groups, and promote increased civic engagement.

Recognition

The work of LYAC has been covered in the AP, Washington Post, Q-13 Fox, KIRO Seattle, The Seattle Times, The U.S. News & World Report , Teen Vogue , KING-5, KNKX, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Spokesman Review, MasonWebTV, OPB News, YakTri News, EIN News, The Yakima Herald-Republic, the Times Union, Sequim Gazette, Centralia Chronicle, Seattle Medium, South Sound Emerald, GzKATU, The News Tribune, the Fairfield Citizen, the Houston Chronicle, Seattle PI, Beaumont Enterprise, CTpost, Greenwich Times, News Times, Magic Valley, RegisteredCitizen, The Reflector, South Whidbey Record, Michigan's Thumb, The Ridgefield Press, KTVZ Idaho, KXLY, KHQ, Washington Law & Politics, and TV Washington.

In 2008, LYAC worked with the state of Indiana's Department of Education in the creation of a Legislative Youth Advisory Council there. LYAC has advised the states of California, New York, Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia in their efforts to pursue a similar idea in years since. In 2016, members met with international leaders at the World Affairs Council of Seattle to brainstorm the applicability of LYAC's mission on a global scale in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Mexico. There are also youth councils established in the states of Louisiana, Maryland, and Colorado, though it is unknown whether Washington LYAC had an advisory role in their creation.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YMCA Youth and Government</span>

YMCA Youth and Government (YaG), also known as Youth In Government, or Model Legislature and Court, is a program of the YMCA of the USA that allows middle and high school students to serve in model governments at the local, state, national, and international levels.

Gun laws in the United States regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition. State laws vary considerably, and are independent of existing federal firearms laws, although they are sometimes broader or more limited in scope than the federal laws.

State Registered Domestic Partnerships (SRDP) in Washington were created in 2007 following the Andersen v. King County decision. Subsequent legislation has made an SRDP the equivalent of marriage under state law. As a result of the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state, from June 30, 2014, SRDP will be available only when at least one of the partners is sixty-two years of age or older.

The Maine Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) (established 2002) advises the Legislature, legislative leadership and legislative committees on issues related to youth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marko Liias</span> American politician from Washington

Marko Sakari Liias is an American politician serving as a member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 21st district since 2014. The district, located entirely within Snohomish County, includes portions of Lynnwood and Everett, as well as his hometown of Mukilteo and his native Edmonds. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives from 2008 to 2014.

The Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) is an independent government agency in Washington state which serves several functions, including regulatory functions. The agency inventories and regulates archaeological sites; houses Washington's State Historic Preservation Officer, State Archaeologist, State Architectural Historian and State Physical Anthropologist; maintains the Washington Heritage Register and Heritage Barn Register; provides expertise on environmental impacts to cultural resources; administers historic preservation grants for heritage barns and historic county courthouses; encourages historic preservation through local governments; provides technical assistance for historic rehabilitation and using historic preservation tax credits; and maintains extensive GIS databases to catalog the state's historic and prehistoric cultural resources.

Roger Elliot Goodman is an American lawyer and politician serving as a Democratic member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 45th district since 2007. Goodman won re-election in 2012 against Republican Joel Hussey. Goodman has been described by the Seattle Times as "progressive."

The government of Washington State is the governmental structure of the State of Washington, United States, as established by the Constitution of the State of Washington. The executive is composed of the Governor, several other statewide elected officials and the Governor's cabinet. The Washington State Legislature consists of the House of Representatives and State Senate. The judiciary is composed of the Washington Supreme Court and lower courts. There is also local government, consisting of counties, municipalities and special districts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gun laws in Washington (state)</span> Washington states gun law

Gun laws in Washington regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Washington in the United States.

Joseph Frederick Fain is an American attorney, businessman, and politician who served as a member of the Washington State Senate for the 47th district from 2011 to 2019. Fain was elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. Fain served as the Senate minority floor leader during the 2018 legislative session.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Frockt</span> American politician from Washington

David S. Frockt is an American politician and attorney who served as a member of the Washington State Senate for the 46th legislative district, which includes North Seattle, Lake Forest Park, and Kenmore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Hansen</span> American politician

Drew Derrick Hansen is an American lawyer, author, and politician serving as a member of the Washington Senate from the 23rd district since 2023. He previously represented the same district in the Washington House of Representatives.

Daniel P. Kristiansen is a former American politician of the Republican Party. He was a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 39th district, and the former House Minority Leader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington Women's History Consortium</span>

The Washington Women's History Consortium is a nonprofit organization that works to document, preserve, and disseminate historical information about the contributions and achievements of women within the state of Washington. The organization was established in 2005 by the state legislature and is managed by the Washington State Historical Society, supported by an advisory board that is appointed by the state governor and legislature. The Consortium is located at the Washington State Capital Museum and Outreach Center in Olympia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyrus Habib</span> Jesuit and 16th Lieutenant Governor of Washington

Kamyar Cyrus Habib is an American Jesuit, a former politician, a lawyer, and an educator who served as the 16th Lieutenant Governor of Washington from 2017 to 2021. He served as the state's Acting Governor for over six months, primarily in 2019 during the presidential campaign of Governor Jay Inslee. As of the time of his departure from office, he was the first and only Iranian American official to hold statewide elected office in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad Magendanz</span> American politician

Chad Lee Magendanz is an American software developer and politician. A Republican, he served two terms in the Washington House of Representatives for the 5th district, comprising much of the eastern third of King County. Magendanz was the ranking member on the House Education Committee and served on the House Appropriations and House Technology and Economic Development committees. He previously served as the Issaquah School Board president. Magendanz was endorsed by The Seattle Times in 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2022 and consistently received an Outstanding rating from the Municipal League of King County. He is currently running for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessyn Farrell</span> American politician

Jessyn Lynn Farrell is an American activist and politician who served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017. In the legislature, she focused on transportation, education, and labor issues. Farrell began her 2017 Seattle mayoral election campaign on May 12, 2017, and did not advance in the August 1, 2017 primary.

The Code Reviser is an official in the government of the United States State of Washington charged with harmonizing the laws of the state and advising legislators on questions of style in the preparation of bills.

Claire E. Wilson is an American educator and politician from the state of Washington. She is a Democratic member of the Washington State Senate, representing Washington's 30th legislative district, an area that includes Federal Way, Algona, Auburn, Pacific, Milton, and Des Moines.

References

  1. ↑ "RCW 43.15.095: Legislative youth advisory council". app.leg.wa.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  2. ↑ "Washington State Leadership Board". Washington State Leadership Board. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  3. ↑ "Washington LYAC". Washington LYAC. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  4. 1 2 "Washington State Legislature". app.leg.wa.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  5. ↑ "Washington State Legislature". app.leg.wa.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  6. ↑ "Washington State Legislature". app.leg.wa.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  7. 1 2 "Our Work". Washington LYAC. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  8. ↑ "Washington State Legislature". app.leg.wa.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  9. ↑ "RCW 43.15.030: Washington state leadership board—Created". app.leg.wa.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  10. 1 2 West, Charlotte. "How Teens Helped Secure Mandatory Sex Ed in Washington State". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  11. ↑ "Action Day". Washington LYAC. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  12. ↑ LYAC, WA (2020-10-30). "LYAC's Conversations with Jay Inslee, Loren Culp, Marko Liias, and Denny Heck". Medium. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  13. ↑ "Washington Referendum 90, Sex Education in Public Schools Measure (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  14. ↑ "Search | Government Innovators Network". www.innovations.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.