Housing, Anti-Displacement, & Community Preservation

  • Representative Santos sponsored legislation creating Community Preservation and Development Authorities (CPDAs), giving communities a long-term tool to preserve culture, small businesses, historic neighborhoods, and community identity in areas impacted by major public projects and rapid change.

    This legislation helped establish a framework for community-led preservation and anti-displacement work that continues to shape neighborhood stabilization efforts today.

    Funding the Community Preservation & Development Authority (HB 1408 / ESHB 1408)

    Representative Santos sponsored legislation (HB 1408 / ESHB 1408) establishing dedicated funding support for Community Preservation and Development Authorities.

    The bill created long-term resources to support neighborhood preservation, small business stability, housing support, cultural preservation, and community-led development strategies designed to prevent displacement and preserve historic communities.

    The legislation passed unanimously in both the House and Senate.

  • Representative Santos sponsored legislation (HB 1918) creating the Central District CPDA to help address displacement and cultural loss in one of Seattle’s most historically significant Black communities.

    The legislation strengthened community-led planning and preservation efforts while supporting strategies to protect neighborhood identity, economic opportunity, and community history amid ongoing development pressures.

  • Representative Santos was the prime-sponsor of HB 1099: Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), helping older adults access coordinated healthcare, transportation, meals, social services, and long-term care support.

    The program helps seniors remain in their homes and communities longer rather than being forced into institutional care, while also supporting families navigating complex caregiving responsibilities.

    Passed in 2001, HB 1099: 

    Reduced Nursing Home Use: 

    • By providing an alternative to institutionalization, the program helped seniors avoid or delay long-term nursing home care.

    Improved Health Outcomes: 

    • Participants in Washington’s PACE program experienced greater stability in physical functioning and a significantly lower risk of dying compared to those in other home- and community-based services.

    Enhanced Quality of Life:

    • The act specifically aimed to maximize the dignity and autonomy of older adults by allowing them to live in their own homes and communities as long as medically possible.

    Integrated Care:

    • It established a "one-stop-shop" model where an interdisciplinary team (doctors, nurses, social workers, etc.) coordinates all medical and social needs, reducing the burden on family caregivers.

    Financial Protection: 

    • For participants, the program often eliminates co-pays and deductibles, offering a predictable, capitated payment system that covers all medically necessary services.

Students, Youth, & Families

As Chair of the House Education Committee, Representative Santos has spearheaded major statewide investments in student wellbeing, educator support, and educational equity.

  • 2SHB 1550: Transition to Kindergarten

    Representative Santos sponsored legislation establishing Washington’s Transition to Kindergarten program for children who need additional preparation before entering kindergarten.

    The program helps young learners build foundational skills earlier while improving access to early learning opportunities for families who may otherwise face barriers to support.

    HB 1504: Daily Recess

    As Chair of the House Education Committee, Representative Santos helped advance legislation requiring daily recess for elementary school students.

    The law supports student mental health, physical wellbeing, social development, and classroom readiness by ensuring children have dedicated time for movement and play during the school day.

  • HB 1669: Educational Opportunity Gap

    Representative Santos sponsored legislation addressing Washington’s educational opportunity gap and advancing statewide strategies focused on improving outcomes for underserved students.

    The legislation centered the needs of students of color, multilingual learners, tribal students, and low-income students while helping establish long-term education equity work across the state.

    HB 1680: Educational Opportunity Gap Strategies

    Representative Santos sponsored legislation advancing strategies to reduce educational disparities through improved discipline policies, educator cultural competency training, language access, and educator workforce diversity initiatives.

    The legislation also supported pathways for paraeducators to become teachers and improved student data collection to better identify inequities.

    4SHB 1541: Closing the Educational Opportunity Gap

    Representative Santos sponsored major statewide legislation implementing reforms aimed at reducing educational disparities and improving student support systems.

    The legislation addressed exclusionary discipline practices, strengthened family engagement, improved support for multilingual learners, and expanded efforts to diversify Washington’s educator workforce.

    HB 2748: Learning Assistance Program

    Representative Santos sponsored legislation strengthening the Learning Assistance Program and aligning resources with whole-child support strategies.

    The bill gave schools greater flexibility to address academic challenges connected to housing instability, health needs, family stress, and other barriers impacting student success.

    HB 1182: Learning Assistance Program

    Representative Santos sponsored legislation expanding Learning Assistance Program support for ninth and tenth grade students.

    The legislation helped schools intervene earlier to support students struggling academically and reduce dropout risk.

  • HB 1121: Emergency Graduation Waivers

    Representative Santos sponsored legislation allowing graduation flexibility for students impacted by major emergencies, including COVID-19 disruptions.

    The bill helped ensure students were not prevented from graduating because of circumstances outside their control.

    HB 1208: Learning Assistance After COVID-19

    Representative Santos sponsored legislation directing learning recovery support toward students most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The bill focused on both academic recovery and broader student support needs connected to housing instability, family hardship, and social isolation.

  • HB 1153: Language Access in Public Schools

    As Chair of the House Education Committee, Representative Santos helped advance legislation improving language access in Washington schools.

    The law requires school systems to strengthen language access programs and improve communication with multilingual families.

Sharon Tomiko Santos has earned recognition from educators, civil rights organizations, community advocates, and public service institutions across Washington.

Honors and awards include the Franklin High School Hall of Fame, The Evergreen State College Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumna Award, the Children’s Alliance Champions for Children Award, the Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, and more.

  • 2024 Friend of Children Award, Washington State PTA

    2022 Hall of Fame Inductee, Franklin High School Alumni Association

    2019 Champions for Children Award, Children’s Alliance

    2019 Legislative Leadership Award, Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee

    2017 Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumna Award, The Evergreen State College

    2017 Lifetime Achievement Award, Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation

    2017 Leadership in Sustainability Award, InterIm Community Development Association

    2016 Lifetime Community Achievement Award, New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Church

    2016 All Star Award, Washington School Counselors Association

    2014 Golden Bamboo Community Leadership Award, Filipino Community of Seattle

    2013 Pioneer Award, Digital Public Schools

    2012 Bridging the Gap Award, University of Washington Multicultural Alumni Partnership

    2012 Torch of Leadership Award, Association of Washington School Principals

    2011 Community Service Award, Japanese American Citizens League, Seattle Chapter

    2010 100 Pioneering Women Honoree, The Women’s Center at the University of Washington

    2010 Kip Tokuda Community Leadership Award, Asian Pacific Islander Community Leadership Foundation

    2010 Multicultural Excellence Award, Washington State Association for Multicultural Education

    2009 Recipient, DesJardins Youth Financial Education State Lawmaker Award,Credit Union National Association

    2009 Inaugural Leadership and Vision Award, Junior Achievement of Washington

    2009 International Programs and Women’s Legislative Network Exchange delegate (South Africa), National Conference of State Legislatures

    2007 Community Award, InterIm Community Development Association

    2006 Leadership in Justice and Government award, Hate Free Zone

    2005 Crystal Eagle Leadership Award for Legislative Action, TABOR 100

    2000 Bernie Whitebear Award, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation

    1996 Celebrating Women’s Leadership Honoree, Washington State Women’s Political Caucus

    1995 NGO Delegate, Fourth World Conference on Women, United Nations Association, Beijing, China

    1993 “Keeping the Dream Alive” Award, Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee