Authorizing Legislation & Foundational Documentation

Original Authorizing Legislation: 2023 State Operating Budget Proviso

The creation of this toolkit was formally authorized and funded as a proviso in the 2023 State Operating Budget (SB 5187):

(c) By November 30, 2024, the office of equity must develop a toolkit on best practices for supporting meaningful engagement of underrepresented individuals with lived experience participating on statutory entities. The toolkit must be transmitted to all state agencies, including: the office of the governor, members of the legislature, the secretary of the senate, and the chief clerk of the house of representatives. The toolkit must include: 

(i) Best practices for identifying and recruiting underrepresented individuals with lived experience;

(ii) Best practices for appropriately and meaningfully engaging individuals from underrepresented populations with lived experience. Recommendations of these best practices may include suggestions from engagement conducted under (a) of this subsection; 

(iii) Information on how to plan the work of a statutory entity using the principles of universal design, which may include suggestions from community engagement conducted under (a) of this subsection; 

(iv) Best practices for onboarding all statutory entity members including how to support underrepresented individuals with lived experience in accessing compensation in accordance with chapter 43.03 RCW; and 

(v) A list of state entities that appointing authorities may consult with when considering appointments to statutory entities for the purpose of increasing meaningful participation by people from underrepresented populations who have lived experience. 

Report on Existing Barriers to Community Participation

This study and report on Existing Barriers to Community Participation (which was also authorized as a part of the above budget proviso) was completed in August 2024 and identified several barriers that currently discourage community participation in state government policy and decision making. Barriers identified within this report are referenced throughout this document.

HB 1541 “Nothing About Us Without Us Act”

This toolkit is also referenced by HB 1541, commonly known as the “Nothing About Us Without Us Act” which states: 

(1) The legislature recognizes that underrepresented populations are often left out of the policy decisions that affect them most. People with direct lived experience with a particular issue are experts in their own lives and experience and are best equipped to find solutions to those issues. The legislature finds that when underrepresented populations are included in policy decision making around issues that directly affect them, the solutions put forward make a greater positive impact on those it seeks to help. As such, the legislature finds that people with direct lived experience should be included in policy decision making around issues that directly impact them. 

(2) The legislature finds that certain populations are almost entirely unrepresented in policy making yet are disproportionately impacted by government decisions. For example, self-advocates with developmental disabilities and other marginalized groups are routinely left out of decision making about policies that directly impact them and frequently have their voices substituted for others. The adverse impacts of injustices perpetrated based on race, color, gender, religion, disability, immigration status, language, culture, and other categories are not distinct and isolated, but instead overlap and accumulate and therefore have a cumulative effect on an individual. Access is an equity issue and by addressing barriers to participation for underrepresented populations, the public will also benefit. A governing body that makes decisions about these communities cannot do so effectively and equitably without the participation and contribution of those from these underrepresented populations who have direct lived experience with the issues being addressed in the policy-making decisions.

Disability self-advocates who had been excluded from the decision-making process on a policy that directly affected them formed the Nothing About Us Without Us Coalition and advocated for HB 1541. Recognizing that meaningful engagement with individuals who have direct lived experience is crucial for all underrepresented communities, the coalition expanded to include representatives from several other marginalized communities.

SB 5793 requiring Community Compensation & Community Compensation Guidelines

This legislation requires that government pay people who serve on Class One workgroups for their time and expertise if they qualify as low-income and/or have direct lived experience in the subject matter being considered by the work group. 

Community Compensation Guidelines

A Community Compensation Guidelines document developed by the Office of Equity to support agencies in disbursing compensation to workgroup members who qualify as low-income and/or have direct lived experience.

Executive Order 22-04 Implementing the Pro-Equity Anti-Racism Plan & Playbook

This order, issued by Governor Inslee in 2022, requires agencies to implement Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) framework that advances co-creation so government can work better for everyone in Washington. The PEAR Plan and Playbook is an approach that helps agencies collaborate in equity strategies and decision-making through PEAR teams that include community members, state employees, tribes, and other groups.