Author Biography

Cobi Clark is a Student of Economics, Policy Analysis, Politics, Philosophy, and Mathematics at the University of Washington Tacoma. He expects to complete his triple major, double degree by the summer of 2026.

Before re-entering academia at the age of 30, Cobi was a successful mid-sized business owner and real estate developer. He spent more than a decade delivering more than $100m of residential and mixed-use real estate to market. His work in the private sector culminated in his recognition as a top 40 under 40 south sound business professional in the South Sound Business Journal in 2022.

Upon completing his undergraduate studies, he expects to run for Washington State office and pursue a PhD in Economics, so that he may shift his focus from the private sector to a career in public service.

Document Type

Undergraduate Research Paper

Abstract

This paper utilizes a recognized policy analysis framework (Kraft & Furlong, 2017) to evaluate the objective effectiveness, efficiency, equitability, and ethical nature of Washington State’s 2023 Senate Bill 5599 (SB 5599, 2023) within contemporary social, political, cultural, and geographic contexts. Senate Bill 5599 was signed into law by Governor Inslee on May 9^th, 2023, and became effective July 23^rd, 2023. The bill established an exception to the reporting requirements the state and its agencies must follow when accepting runaway youth into shelters. The exception established is that the state is no longer required to report to parents that it has accepted their children, if the child is seeking or undergoing gender affirming care. This law raises questions as to when it is acceptable for the state to intervene between parent and child, what rights apply to children who are not yet rationally capable or informed, and to what degree rights should be applied positively or negatively in certain contexts. This paper will illuminate the contextual ambiguity of effectiveness, efficiency, equitability, and ethics related to SB 5599, while also identifying the ways in which SB 5599 should be changed to conform to these criteria within Washington State’s social contexts and the policy framework. Key suggested changes to SB 5599 include age criteria, clear identification of intent to offer protected health services, and a vote of the people.

University

University of Washington Tacoma

Course

TWRT 211

Instructor

Ruben Casas

Recommended Citation

Clark, Cobi () "Evaluation of Washington State's Senate Bill 5599 Concerning Runaway Transgender Youth," Access*: Interdisciplinary Journal of Student Research and Scholarship: Vol. 8: Iss. 1, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.tacoma.uw.edu/access/vol8/iss1/7

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UW Tacoma Digital Commons

Access*: Interdisciplinary Journal of Student Research and Scholarship

Evaluation of Washington State's Senate Bill 5599 Concerning Runaway Transgender Youth

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