OLYMPIA, WA – Rep. Mary Dye, R‑Pomeroy, has introduced House Bill 2461, a proposal to create a Washington State Commission on Boys and Men aimed at studying and addressing educational, economic, and social disparities affecting boys and young men across the state.
The commission would analyze trends in education, workforce participation, health, and criminal justice outcomes for males and develop policy recommendations to strengthen families, expand opportunities, and promote positive male role models. It would also bring together educators, community organizations, employers, and policymakers to coordinate solutions.
“Washington cannot ignore the growing warning signs facing boys and young men,” Dye said, citing research showing disparities in areas such as homelessness, incarceration, suicide, addiction, and educational attainment. National data show women now account for a majority of undergraduate and professional school enrollment, while men remain overrepresented in the criminal justice system.
The legislation emphasizes the role of engaged fatherhood, noting that about one in four children grow up without a father in the home, increasing risks of poverty and school failure. Dye said the commission would focus on mentorship and father involvement as key strategies for supporting boys and young men.
“By acting now, we can help ensure that boys and men have the guidance, opportunity, and support they need to succeed,” Dye said. The bill is a renewed effort to address these challenges statewide.
