✅ Washington House Bill 2401 (2025-2026 session) proposes establishing the Washington State Boys and Men Commission

At its January 2026 meeting, the Walla Walla County Democratic Central Committee voted to endorse a new Washington Commission on Boys and Men. HB 2401 is before the state legislature in the current legislative session. The House Appropriations Committee recommends its approval. It should be considered by the Legislature very soon.

There are over 230 boards and commissions in the State whose members are appointed by the Governor. Among the existing commissions are those dedicated to women and to LBGTQIA+. Establishment of the Washington Commission on Boys and Men does not diminish the importance or work of these commissions. HB 2401 has bipartisan sponsorship, and was introduced by a long list of legislators led by Representative April Berg.

The statistics regarding boys and men are troubling; the impact of these problems affect us all. The Commission would highlight and address serious problems: Boys and men are struggling. Washington’s homeless population is 63% male; deaths from drug overdoses ages 19 to 24 are 70% male; victims of suicide are 78% male – and youth suicide victims are 74% male; of the imprisoned population 94% are male, life expectancy of men is on average 5 years less than women; 60% of high school dropouts are male; only 43% of undergraduate degrees and 42% of post-graduates degrees are awarded to males. Mental health resources for men and boys, and particularly in rural areas, are very limited. In the helping professions only 23% of mental health counselors are male; only 15% of social workers are male. The Commission is being created to highlight these problems and point to solutions.

HB 2401 states: “The boys and men commission shall address issues relevant to the problems and needs of boys and men including improving physical and mental health outcomes, reducing stigma around mental health treatment, and expanding access to meaningful education, vocational, and mentorship opportunities. The boys and men commission shall address the challenges faced by all boys and men with an emphasis on boys and men of color, those in rural locations, those who identify as LGBTQ, and those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and often find themselves left out of important conversations regarding their well-being and future.”

The current bill is dependent on grants and donations to operate during the three year authorization period. Visit wa.leg.gov and search by Bill number: 2401.