Washington SB 5663: Providing support for foster youth in obtaining drivers' licenses and automobile liability insurance.

Bill Text

AN ACT Relating to entirely online course offerings at community 1
and technical colleges; adding a new section to chapter 28B.50 RCW; 2
and creating a new section.3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the community 5
and technical college system is an important conduit to our 6
communities and is a key for the state to meet the 70 percent 7
credential goal and to fill workforce gaps. The state of Washington 8
is in the middle of a workforce and affordability crisis. Flexible, 9
online, affordable options are an essential part of the solution. 10
Allowing colleges to reach students regarding entirely online course 11
offerings outside their district is a first step in creating a 12
virtual campus. A virtual campus, like what California community 13
colleges have created, would provide students affordable options 14
without having to move or find transportation. Students in Washington 15
state should have a single place where they can register for online 16
classes and cross enroll. A virtual campus would help students 17
upskill or reskill and allow for students to have access to online 18
classes needed for their degree when they live out-of-district.19
The legislature further finds that Washington state cannot afford 20
to leave talent on the sidelines. Washington state needs skilled 21
ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5663
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development (originally
sponsored by Senators Slatter, Nobles, Frame, Lovick, and Valdez)
READ FIRST TIME 02/18/25.
p. 1 ESSB 5663

workers, and it should not matter where a student lives to receive 1
the right education. Therefore, the legislature intends that, by 2
allowing respective community and technical colleges to reach 3
students out-of-district, a conversation can begin around 4
establishing a virtual campus for all Washingtonians.5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 6
RCW to read as follows:7
(1) Community and technical colleges may distribute information 8
on their respective colleges outside of their district when it 9
pertains to entirely online course offerings. Information provided by 10
community and technical colleges may include unsolicited course and 11
enrollment information. In providing this information, community and 12
technical colleges may use, but are not limited to: Digital 13
advertising, email, direct mail, newspaper advertisements, newspaper 14
inserts, and other methods of mass distribution to those outside of a 15
college district.16
(2) Community and technical colleges may prioritize and make 17
known to the citizens of its district courses and programs offered 18
exclusively by neighboring districts.19
(3) Community and technical colleges may not compete with each 20
other for enrollment.21
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p. 2 ESSB 5663