WA HB2171

Washington State Patrol and Department of Children, Youth, and Families must implement an endangered foster youth alert system that issues statewide alerts via radio, television, cable, and internet within 24 hours of a foster youth being reported missing

Each county must develop written protocols for rapid response teams—composed of law enforcement, department representatives, and local advocacy groups—to locate missing foster youth in dependency proceedings

Creates a foster youth empowerment account in the state treasury to fund trauma therapy, emergency recovery support, and peer mentorship for former foster youth for up to 10 years after exiting the foster care system

Establishes a foster youth survivor and advocacy oversight board under the Office of the Family and Children's Ombuds to review cases of missing or deceased foster youth and submit annual reports with recommendations beginning November 1, 2026

Amends foster parent preservice training and child welfare worker training requirements to include best practices for preventing and responding to missing or runaway foster children