Supporting foster youth.

HB 2171 creates a statewide alert system to protect foster youth who go missing, requiring Washington State Patrol and child welfare agencies to issue public alerts within 24 hours of a report. It mandates counties to form rapid response teams with law enforcement and advocates to locate missing youth and establishes a foster youth empowerment account funding mental health therapy, emergency support, and peer mentorship for up to 10 years after youth exit foster care. The bill also creates an oversight board of former foster youth and trauma experts to review missing or deceased cases and recommend system improvements. These provisions directly affect foster youth in Washington’s dependency system (under chapter 13.34 RCW), aiming to reduce trafficking risks and improve support through coordinated response and long-term services.