Commission on boys and men

AN ACT Relating to addressing the systemic challenges facing 1
boys, male youth, and men, by establishing the Washington state 2
commission on boys and men; and adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW.3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature makes the following 5
findings:6
(1) It is necessary to establish a Washington state commission on 7
boys and men to address systemic challenges facing boys, male youth, 8
and men in Washington state; 9
(2) A successful society requires its institutions to recognize 10
and respond to the distinct characteristics and needs of both males 11
and females. Disaggregated data by sex demonstrate that sustained 12
efforts to expand opportunity for women and girls have resulted in 13
significant gains and have strengthened Washington state and the 14
nation; 15
(3) Many institutional frameworks have not sufficiently accounted 16
for male-specific developmental, biological, and social needs, 17
contributing to persistent disparities affecting boys and men across 18
education, public safety, health, housing, and workforce 19
participation; 20
H-2869.1
HOUSE BILL 2461
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Representatives Dye, Abbarno, Marshall, Abell, Burnett, Schmidt,
Dent, Eslick, Klicker, Jacobsen, Connors, McClintock, Engell, Ley,
McEntire, Rude, Orcutt, and Barkis
Read first time 01/14/26. Referred to Committee on State Government
& Tribal Relations.
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(4) Disaggregated data demonstrate significant and persistent 1
disparities affecting boys and men in Washington state, including 2
disproportionate involvement in the criminal and juvenile justice 3
systems, higher rates of homelessness, substance abuse, violent 4
victimization, and suicide; 5
(5) Research demonstrates a strong association between father 6
absence and increased risks of negative outcomes for boys, including 7
justice system involvement, educational disengagement, and substance 8
abuse; 9
(6) Addiction is a significant contributing factor to 10
incarceration, family instability, and long-term social withdrawal, 11
and that these outcomes impose substantial social and fiscal costs on 12
the state; 13
(7) Biological and developmental differences between males and 14
females influence behavior, learning, health, and social outcomes, 15
and that institutions should account for these differences while 16
minimizing bias and stereotypes; 17
(8) Stronger outcomes for men and fathers contribute to stronger 18
families, safer communities, and improved long-term social stability;19
(9) A commission on boys and men is necessary to assess systemic, 20
cultural, and institutional factors contributing to these outcomes 21
and to develop evidence-based policy recommendations to improve 22
outcomes for boys and men; and 23
(10) Improving outcomes for boys and men is not intended to 24
diminish gains made by women and girls, but to strengthen 25
opportunity, stability, and well-being for all residents of 26
Washington state. 27
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The Washington state commission on 28
boys and men is established in the office of the governor.29
(2) In carrying out its duties under this chapter, the commission 30
shall focus on the following areas as they affect boys, male youth, 31
and men in Washington state: 32
(a) Mental health, physical health, substance use, addiction, 33
suicide, and premature mortality, including prevention and early 34
intervention strategies; 35
(b) Educational development and attainment, including early 36
childhood development, K–12 education, postsecondary education, and 37
workforce preparation; 38
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(c) Workforce participation, career pathways, and economic 1
stability, including transitions from education to employment;2
(d) Fatherhood, family formation, and family stability, including 3
the effects of father absence, single parenting, and policies 4
affecting durable family relationships; 5
(e) The causes and prevention of disproportionate involvement of 6
boys and men in the criminal and juvenile justice systems, including 7
the preschool-to-prison pipeline and alternatives to justice system 8
involvement; and 9
(f) The experiences of boys and men within public systems, 10
including schools, health systems, housing systems, workforce 11
programs, and criminal, juvenile, and family courts.12
(3) The commission shall be administered by an executive director 13
appointed by, and serving at the pleasure of, the governor. The 14
governor shall set the salary of the executive director. The 15
executive director may employ staff as necessary, subject to 16
available funding. 17
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The Washington state commission on 18
boys and men consists of 15 nonlegislative voting members appointed 19
as follows:20
(a) Three members appointed by the speaker of the house of 21
representatives; 22
(b) Three members appointed by the minority leader of the house 23
of representatives; 24
(c) Three members appointed by the president of the senate;25
(d) Three members appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 26
and 27
(e) Three members appointed by the governor, with the advice and 28
consent of the senate. 29
(2) Appointing authorities may appoint only individuals with 30
demonstrated, credentialed subject matter expertise in one or more of 31
the commission's focus areas. 32
(3) Appointments must, to the extent practicable, reflect diverse 33
professional perspectives and geographic regions of the state.34
(4) Initial terms must be staggered by lot, with five members 35
serving one-year terms, five serving two-year terms, and five serving 36
three-year terms. Thereafter, terms are three years.37
(5) Vacancies must be filled in the same manner as the original 38
appointment. 39
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(6) The commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from among 1
the voting membership. 2
(7) Two members of the senate, one from each major political 3
party, appointed by the president of the senate, and two members of 4
the house of representatives, one from each major political party, 5
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, shall serve 6
as nonvoting legislative advisory members. 7
(8) Nonlegislative members serve without compensation but may be 8
reimbursed for travel expenses under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. 9
Legislative advisory members may be reimbursed under RCW 44.04.120.10
(9) A simple majority of voting members constitutes a quorum.11
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The Washington state commission on 12
boys and men shall:13
(a) Collect and analyze disaggregated data to identify 14
disparities affecting boys and men; 15
(b) Evaluate systemic, cultural, and institutional factors 16
contributing to those disparities; 17
(c) Examine factors related to mental health, addiction, suicide, 18
and premature mortality and identify evidence-based prevention 19
strategies; 20
(d) Assess educational and workforce pathways and barriers to 21
engagement and attainment; 22
(e) Examine the role of fatherhood and family stability in 23
outcomes for boys and men; 24
(f) Evaluate causes and prevention strategies related to justice 25
system involvement; 26
(g) Review the experiences of boys and men within public systems 27
and identify opportunities for improvement; 28
(h) Consult with state agencies and relevant stakeholders;29
(i) Provide recommendations to the governor and the legislature;30
(j) Serve as a clearinghouse for information and research;31
(k) Hold public hearings; and 32
(l) Submit a biennial report to the legislature in accordance 33
with RCW 43.01.036. 34
(2) State agencies shall provide reasonable assistance to the 35
commission upon request. 36
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NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The Washington state commission on 1
boys and men may solicit and receive gifts, grants, and endowments 2
and expend funds consistent with this chapter.3
(2) The commission may enter into agreements with public and 4
private entities. 5
(3) The commission may adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW 6
necessary to carry out this chapter. 7
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Sections 1 through 5 of this act 8
constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.9
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