WA State NOW legislative alert for February 4, 2018
February 4, 2018
The 2018 Legislative Session began on Monday, January 8, 2018 and is scheduled to end on March 8, 2018.
Tuesday, February 6 is the last day for bills to pass out of the House fiscal committees and then Senate Ways and Means committees in the house of origin.
Wednesday, February 14 at 5:00 PM is the last day to pass bills in the house of origin.
You can contact your legislators by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1 800-562-6000. You can also contact them by e-mail using this format: firstname.lastname@leg.wa.gov. If you need to look up your legislators, use the following link to find them: http://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/
Top Action of the Week:
Pay Equity is the top action of this week. For the fourth year in a row, Washington’s House of Representatives has passed an Equal Pay bill with bipartisan support, 69 – 28! But in the Senate, corporate lobbyists are urging legislators to water down the bill. They want to add in “preemption” rules that will prevent cities from passing any future laws that promote equality and protect women in the workplace.
Although SB 5140 and HB 1506 are important steps forward, they alone will not eliminate the gender pay and career opportunity gaps.
We must preserve the right of local elected leaders to protect our daughters and granddaughters from discrimination in the future.
Contact your representatives and senators and let them know that you believe the Equal Pay Opportunity Act (HB 1506/SB 5140) will make important improvements to the state’s equal pay laws, but it will not solve the issue of gender pay parity in one fell swoop.
It is impossible for one law to address the systemic problem of pay inequity. We need to preserve our communities’ rights to create multiple solutions to address remaining inequities faced by women. Ask that they support a strong equal pay bill, one without pre-emption.
If you can only do one thing, contact your senator in regards to SB 5140 and ask that they pass the Equal Pay Act without any pre-emption clause.
Note: Committee members for House and Senate Committees are listed at the end of this alert.
Voting Rights Act
HB 1800 Enacting the Washington voting rights act.
SUPPORT
HB 1800 creates a state voting rights act to protect the equal opportunity for minority groups to participate in local elections. The voting rights act creates a process for an action to be filed and authorizes courts to order appropriate remedies for a violation of the act, including redistricting within a political subdivision. Local governments are authorized to change their election system to remedy violations of the act
Status: HB 1800 is in the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
Action: Contact your representatives and ask for a YES vote on HB 1800.
SB 6002 Enacting the voting rights act of 2018.
SUPPORT
SB 6002 creates the voting rights act of 2018. The Act prohibits a local election system for the governing body of a political subdivision that impairs the ability of members of a protected class to have an equal opportunity to elect their preferred candidate that dilutes or abridges the rights of those voters. A protected class includes voters who are members of a race, color, or language minority group. The class does not have to be geographically compact or concentrated to constitute a majority in any proposed or existing district.
The Act applies to elections held within certain political subdivisions including: counties; cities; towns; school districts; fire protection districts; port districts; and public utility districts. It does not apply to state elections, elections in a city or town with a population under 1,000 people, or school districts with fewer than 250 students.
The Act allows any political subdivision to take corrective action on its own initiative to change its election system to remedy a violation of the act. The remedy can include implementing a district-based election system.
The Act a cause of action that any voter within a political subdivision can file a legal action alleging a violation that shows polarized voting that dilutes or abridges the right to vote. It authorizes courts to order appropriate remedies for a violation of the act, including redistricting within a political subdivision.
Status: SB 6002 has passed the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 29 to 19 and has been referred to the House State Government, Elections & Information Technology where it was scheduled for an executive session hearing on Wednesday, February 7 at 8 AM.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House State Government, Elections and Information Technology Committee and ask for a YES vote on SB 6002.
Indigenous Peoples Day
HB 2267 Recognizing indigenous peoples day
SUPPORT
HB 2267 Recognizes the twelfth day of October as indigenous peoples’ day rather than Columbus Day.
Status: HB 2267 is in the Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
Action: Contact your representatives and ask for a YES vote on HB 2267.
Voter Registration
HB 2297 and SB 6021 Extending the period for voter registration.
SUPPORT
HB 2297 and SB 6021 extends the time period for voter registration:
Requires that voter registration by mail and electronically must be received no later than eight days before the election date, rather than submitted 29 days before the election date.
Changes the deadline for in-person voter registration from eight days before the election date to 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election.
Changes the deadline to update existing voter registration information from 29 days before the election date to 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election.
Requires county auditors to accept in-person voter registration at certain locations within the county.
Status: HB 2297 is in the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
SB 6021 passed out of the Senate and has been sent to the House State Government and Elections and Information Technology Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, February 7th at 8 AM.
Action: Contact your representatives and ask for a YES vote on HB 2297.
Contact your representatives on the House State Government and Elections and Information Technology Committee and ask that SB 6021 be passed out of committee.
Civil Legal Aid
HB 2308 Civil legal aid.
SUPPORT
HB 2308 finds that the prevalence of civil legal problems experienced by low-income people in the state exceeds the capacity of the state-funded legal aid system to address. Modifies civil legal aid provisions regarding: (1) Oversight duties of the civil legal aid oversight committee; (2) The duty of the director of civil legal aid services to periodically assess the most prevalent civil legal problems experienced by low-income people in the state and the capacity of the state-funded legal aid system to meet the legal needs arising from the problems; (3) The appropriation of public funds for civil representation of indigent persons; and (4) The distribution of funds to persons appointed in dependency proceedings
Status: HB 2308 has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee where it was scheduled for an executive session on Monday, February 5th at 1:30 pm.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Appropriations Committee and ask for a YES vote for HB 2308 to pass it out of committee.
Prepaid Ballots
HB 2378 Providing prepaid postage for all election ballots.
SUPPORT
HB 2378 requires the state to reimburse counties for the cost of return postage on mail and absentee ballots for all elections. It also requires return envelopes for all election ballots to include prepaid postage.
Status: HB 2378 is DEAD.
Wildlife related recreational opportunities for persons with disabilities
HB 2649 Relating to enhancing the fish, shellfish, and wildlife- related recreational opportunities for a person with a disability
SUPPORT
HB 2649 directs the fish and wildlife commission to enhance and provide reasonable accommodations for a person with a disability to access fish, shellfish, and wildlife-related recreational opportunities.
Status: HB 2649 is in the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
Action: Contact your representatives and ask for a YES vote on HB 2649.
Women’s Commission
HB 2759 Establishing the Washington women’s commission.
SUPPORT
HB 2759 establishes the Washington State Women’s Commission that will be charged with: 1) recruiting women to fill vacancies on board and commissions; 2) tracking federal and state legislation pertinent to women’s issues; 3) identifying specific needs of women of color; 4) working with state agencies regarding impact of policies, procedures and practices as relates to women’s issues; 5) holding public hearings to gather input of issues related to women; 6) reviewing best practices for sexual harassment policies and trainings.
Status: HB 2759 was scheduled for a public hearing in the House Appropriations Committee on Saturday, February 3.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House State Appropriations Committee and ask for a YES vote on HB 2759.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
HJM 4016 Concerning the deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) program.
SUPPORT
HJM 4016 encourages the United States Congress to codify DACA and freeze deportations of dreamers during this process, as these specific actions will give those who have grown up in our country some stability while congress carefully considers long-term legislative solutions to overhaul our nation’s broken immigration system.
Status: HJM 4016 has been referred to the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
Action: Contact your representatives and let them know you support HJM 4016 and ask that HJM 6 be passed with a YES vote.
Native American Curriculum
SB 5028 Requiring teacher preparation programs to integrate Native American curriculum developed by the office of the superintendent of public instruction into existing Pacific Northwest history and government requirements.
SUPPORT
SB 5028 requires educator preparation programs to use the Since Time Immemorial curriculum to improve the understanding of students and educators about the past contributions of Indian nations to the state and the contemporary and ongoing tribal and state government relations.
Status: SB 5028 has passed the Senate on a 46 to 3 vote. It is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Education Committee on Thursday February 8 at 8:00 AM.
Action: Contact your House member on the House Education Committee and let them know that you support SB 5028.
Conversion Therapy
SB 5722 Restricting the practice of conversion therapy.
SUPPORT
SB 5722 prohibits health professionals from performing sexual orientation change efforts on a patient under age eighteen. Conversion therapy means a regime that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex. This type of therapy is a risky harmful practice as it contributes to increased self-harm and loathing which can lead to depression, suicide and substance abuse.
Status: SB 5722 has passed the Senate on a 32 to 16 vote. It has been assigned to the House Health Care and Wellness Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, February 7 at 8:00 AM.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee and ask that SB 5722 and let them know that you support 5722 and ask them pass it out of committee.
Economic Equity and Support for Low Income Individuals and Families
Fare Chance Act
HB 1298 Relating to prohibiting employers from asking about arrests or convictions before an applicant is determined otherwise qualified for a position.
SUPPORT
HB 1298 establishes the Fare Chance Act and prohibit an employer from including any question on an application for employment, from inquiring either orally or in writing, from receiving information through a criminal history background check, or from otherwise obtaining information about an applicant’s criminal record until after the employer initially determines that the applicant is otherwise qualified for the position.
Status: HB 1298 is in the Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House
Action: Contact your representatives and ask for their support for HB 1298 and a YES vote on HB 1298.
Pay Equity
HB 1506 Relating to workplace practices to achieve gender pay equity.
SB 5140 Concerning enforcement of the equal pay act and worker communications about wages and employment opportunities.
SUPPORT
HB 1506 and SB 5140 modifies the Equal Pay Act by defining employees as being “similarly employed” if the performance of the job requires similar skill, effort, and responsibility, and the jobs are performed under similar working conditions. Job titles alone are not determinative. Limiting or depriving an employee of career advancement based on gender is prohibited and includes failure to announce or provide access to career advancement opportunities or training which are under the employer’s control. Prohibits retaliation for certain workplace discussions about wages and other matters.
Corporate lobbyists are working to add a pre-emption clause that would prohibit local jurisdictions from instituting any law that would improve gender pay equity rights beyond that of what is in the state law.
Status: HB 1506 has passed the house and is now in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee where it can be scheduled for a public hearing and executive session.
SB 5140 is in the Senate Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full Senate.
Action: Contact your representatives and senators and let them know that you believe the Equal Pay Opportunity Act (HB 1506/SB 5140) will make important improvements to the state’s equal pay laws, but it will not solve the issue of gender pay parity in one fell swoop. It is impossible for one law to address the systemic problem of pay inequity. We need to preserve our communities’ rights to create multiple solutions to address remaining inequities faced by women. Ask that they support a strong equal pay bill, one without pre-emption.
Child Care Training
HB 2450 Supporting the business of child care.
SUPPORT
HB 2450 requires the department of children, youth, and families to: (1) Develop, in consultation with the statewide child care resource and referral network and the community and technical college system, a community-based training module for child care providers, which will be offered to providers as a pilot program in at least four communities; and (2) Collaborate with the state board for community and technical colleges to align all parts of training module.
Status: HB 2450 has passed out of the House Early Learning and Human Services Committee and is in the House Appropriations Committee where it can be scheduled for a public hearing and executive session.
Action: Contact your representatives and ask for their support and a YES vote on HB 2450.
Housing
HB 2667 Relating to improving housing stability for people with disabilities and seniors by amending eligibility for the essential needs and housing support and the aged, blind, or disabled assistance programs.
SUPPORT
HB 2667 improves housing stability for people with disabilities and seniors by amending eligibility for the essential needs and housing support and the aged, blind, or disabled assistance programs.
Status: HB 2667 has passed out of the House Early Learning and Human Services Committee and is in the House Appropriations Committee where it is eligible for an executive session.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Appropriations Committee and ask that HB 2667 be passed out of committee with a YES vote.
Feminine Hygiene Products
SB 5093 Providing tax relief to females by exempting feminine hygiene products from retail sales and use tax.
SUPPORT
SB 5093 provides a sales and use tax exemption on feminine hygiene products. With this bill the legislature finds that feminine hygiene products are a necessity for most females in the state. Taxing a necessary feminine hygiene product unjustly adds an additional tax burden on females that creates a tax gap between genders, requiring females to potentially pay more of their income to state taxes. The legislature further finds that taxing feminine hygiene products adds to the regressive tax burden on low-income families. The legislature further finds that feminine hygiene products are not a discretionary purchase; they are a necessity for which there is no alternative for females to maintain proper health and hygiene.
Status: SB 5093 is DEAD
HB 2911 Providing feminine hygiene products in public schools at no cost to students.
SUPPORT
HB 2911 requires feminine hygiene products to be available to students in women’s and gender-neutral restrooms of public school buildings at no cost.
Status: HB 2911 is DEAD.
Reproductive Rights and Health Care
Pacific Islander Health Care
HB 1291 Concerning health care for Pacific Islanders residing in Washington under a compact of free association.
SB 5683 Concerning health care for Pacific Islanders residing in Washington under a compact of free association.
SUPPORT
HB 1291 and SB 5683 increase access to health care services for the citizens of the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia residing in this state by providing premium assistance for health coverage purchased through the state health benefit exchange.
Status: HB 1291 is in the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
SB 5683 is in the Senate Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full Senate
Action: Contact your representatives and ask for a YES vote on HB 1291.
Contact your senator and ask for a YES vote on SB 5683.
Preventive Health Care Coverage
HB 1523 & SB 5602 Requiring health plans to cover, with no cost sharing, all preventive services required to be covered under federal law as of December 31, 2016.
SUPPORT
HB 1523 requires a health plan to provide health care coverage for the same preventive services required to be covered under: (1) 42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-13 (2016); and (2) Federal rules or guidance in effect on December 31, 2016, implementing 42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-13 (i.e. the Affordable Care Act).
Status: HB 1523 has passed the House and is now in the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee where it can be scheduled for a public hearing and executive session.
SB 5602 is DEAD.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee and let them know you support HB 1523 and request that HB 1523 be scheduled for a public hearing and executive session.
Doula Services
HB 1704 Relating to access to doula services for incarcerated women
SUPPORT
HB 1704 requires jails and the Department of Corrections to make reasonable accommodations for the provision of doula services to inmates who are pregnant or have recently given birth..
Status: HB 1704 is DEAD.
Health Care Access
HB 2408 An act relating to preserving access to individual market health care coverage throughout Washington state
SUPPORT
HB 2408 requires a health carrier offering a school employees’ benefits board-approved health plan to school employees under chapter 41.05 RCW shall offer at least one silver qualified health plan on the Washington health benefit exchange in any county that would not otherwise have any individual market health plans, other than catastrophic health plans, offered to county residents on the Washington health benefit exchange.
Status: HB 2408 is in the House Appropriations Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, February 5th at 1:30 PM
Action: Contact your representatives and members of the Appropriations Committee and tell them you support HB 2408 and ask for a YES vote on HB 2408.
Reproductive Parity Act
HB 2409 Concerning health plan coverage of reproductive health care.
SUPPORT
HB 2409 requires a health plan, issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2019, to:
(1) Provide coverage for contraceptive drugs, devices, and other products approved by the federal food and drug administration; voluntary sterilization procedures; and applicable consultations, examinations, procedures, and medical services; and
(2) If it provides coverage for maternity care or services, also provide a covered person with substantially equivalent coverage to permit the voluntary termination of a pregnancy.
Requires the governor’s interagency coordinating council on health disparities to conduct a literature review on disparities in access to reproductive health care.
Status: HB 2409 is DEAD.
SB 6219 Concerning health plan coverage of reproductive health care.
SUPPORT
SB 6219 requires a health plan that is issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2019:
(1) To provide coverage for contraceptive drugs, devices, and other products; voluntary sterilization procedures; and certain necessary consultations, examinations, procedures, and medical services; and
(2) That provides coverage for maternity care or services, to also provide substantially equivalent coverage to permit the abortion of a pregnancy.
Requires the state health care authority to administer a program to reimburse the cost of certain services, drugs, devices, products, and procedures for individuals who can become pregnant and who would be eligible for medical assistance if not for 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1611 or 1612.
Requires the governor’s interagency coordinating council on health disparities to conduct a literature review on disparities in access to reproductive health care based on socioeconomic status, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, geography, and other factors.
Status: SB 6219 has passed the Senate on a 26 to 22 vote and is now in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, February 7th at 8:00 AM.
Action: Contact your representatives and members of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee and let them know that you support SB 6219 and ask for a YES vote.
Vaccine and Contraceptive Availability through Pharmacists
HB 2570 Concerning a database of pharmacies offering vaccines and self- administered hormonal contraceptives through collaborative drug therapy agreements.
SUPPORT
Requires the Department of Health (DOH) to establish a searchable database available on its web site that lists the pharmacies that have one or more pharmacists on staff who have a collaborative drug therapy agreement (CDTAs) to prescribe vaccines or self-administered hormonal contraceptives.
Collaborative drug therapy agreements allows a medical professional to authorize a pharmacist to conduct specified prescribing functions. Requires pharmacies who employ at least one pharmacist with a CDTA to provide this data to the DOH as requested by the DOH.
Status: HB 2570 is in the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House of Representatives
Action: Contact your representatives and tell them you support HB 2570 and ask for a YES vote.
Employee Reproductive Choice Act
HB 2908 Enacting the Employee Reproductive Choice Act
SUPPORT
Modifies the state civil rights act by including the right of an employee whose employer provides health insurance coverage as part of an employee benefit package to receive contraceptive coverage from that employer’s health plan free of restrictions, exclusions, or reductions in coverage or benefits.
Prohibits a health plan, issued on or after January 1, 2019, that includes coverage for contraceptive coverage, from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost- sharing requirement on the contraceptive coverage provided.
Status: HB 2908 is DEAD
Reproductive Health Access for All
HB 2909 Enacting the reproductive health access for all act.
SUPPORT
HB 2909 requires the state health care authority to administer a program to reimburse the cost of medically appropriate services, drugs, devices, products, and procedures for individuals who can become pregnant and who would be eligible for medical assistance if not for 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1611 or 1612.
Status: HB 2909 is DEAD.
Universal Health Care (Single Payer Health Care)
SB 5701 Creating the Washington apple care trust.
SUPPORT
SB 5701 enacts the Washington Apple Care Trust (Trust) to provide health coverage to every resident of the state.
Status: SB 5701 is DEAD.
Reproductive Health Care Access for All Act
SB 6105 Enacting the reproductive health access for all act.
SUPPORT
SB 6105 requires the state health care authority to administer a program to reimburse the cost of medically appropriate services, drugs, devices, products, and procedures for individuals who can become pregnant and who may not have citizen status.
Status: SB 6105 is DEAD.
Violence Against Women
Assault weapons
HB 1134 and SB 5050 Banning the sale of assault weapons and large capacity magazines.
SUPPORT
HB 1134 and SB 5050 Prohibit a person, unless certain conditions are met, from manufacturing, possessing, distributing, importing, transferring, selling, offering for sale, or purchasing an assault weapon or large capacity magazine.
Status: HB 1134 and SB 5050 are DEAD.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
HB 2101 Concerning the availability of sexual assault nurse examiners.
SUPPORT
HB 2101 increases access to nurse examiners by requiring the office of crime victims advocacy to develop: (1) Best practices that local communities may use on a voluntary basis to create mobile sexual assault nurse examiner teams and multidisciplinary teams to serve sexual assault survivors in local communities; and (2) Strategies to make sexual assault nurse examiner training available without requiring the nurses to travel unreasonable distances or incur unreasonable expenses..
Status: HB 2101 is currently in House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
Action: Contact your representatives and ask for a YES vote on HB 2101.
Sexually violent predators
HB 2271 Concerning the processes for reviewing sexually violent predators committed under chapter 71.09.
SB 6217 Concerning the processes for reviewing sexually violent predators committed under chapter 71.09.
SUPPORT
HB 2271 specifies certain review standards for the court to evaluate whether to order evidentiary trials for release of persons committed as sexually violent predators.
Declares that the legislature finds: (1) The decision in In re Det. of Marcum, 189 Wn.2d 1 (2017) conflicts with the legislature’s intent in RCW 71.09.090;
(2) The supreme court’s holding is a mistaken interpretation; and
(3) The purpose of a show cause hearing under RCW 71.09.090 is to provide the court with an opportunity to determine whether probable cause exists to warrant a hearing on whether the person’s condition has changed as it relates to the person’s status as a sexually violent predator or whether conditional release to a less restrictive alternative would be appropriate.
Declares an intent to overturn the Marcum decision in favor of the original intent of the statute.
Status: HB 2271 is in the Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
SB 6217 is in the Senate Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full Senate.
Action: Contact your representatives and ask for their support and YES vote on HB 2271.
Contact your senator and ask for a YES vote on SB 6217.
Temporary Protection Orders
HB 2542 – Concerning ex parte temporary orders outside of normal court hours.
SUPPORT
HB 2542 allows for the filing of a petition for an ex parte temporary order for protection may be initiated outside of normal court hours via telephone by a victim of domestic violence. A law enforcement officer responding to an act of domestic violence may telephonically present to the court a sworn petition setting forth the need for an ex parte temporary order for protection. This bill applies to domestic violence situations where law enforcement officers responding to an incident see that there is a real need for victim protection. Under current law, if the alleged perpetrator is at the incident, law enforcement are commanded by law to take them into custody. While at the jail, an officer can call a judge and say that the victim needs a no contact order and, from the jail, a judge can determine whether to issue a no contact order. With this bill, that process can occur from the residence.
Status: HB 2542 is in the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
Action: Contact your representatives and ask for their support and YES vote on HB 2542.
Sexual Assault Survivor Support
HB 2353 Supporting sexual assault survivors.
SUPPORT
HB 2353 requires the submission and analysis of all sexual assault kits (SAKs) collected prior to July 24, 2015, and in the possession of law enforcement agencies. Creates a $4 fee per admission collected from patrons of a sexually oriented live adult entertainment establishments for the purpose of funding certain programs relating to SAKs as well as training for operators and employees of those establishments. Expands the duties, membership, and duration of the Joint Legislative Task Force on Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Best Practices. Modifies specialized training for sexual assault investigators to include victim notification practices. Enumerates rights for sexual assault survivors.
Status: HB 2353 has passed out of the House Public Safety Committee and is in the House Appropriations Committee where it can be scheduled for a public hearing and executive session.
Action: Contact your representative and members of the House Appropriations Committee and request that HB 2353 be scheduled for a public hearing and executive session and pass out of committee.
HB 2648 Supporting sexual assault survivors.
SUPPORT
HB 2648 adds duties to the existing Sexual Assault Forensics Examination Task Force including: monitoring implementation of state and federal legislative changes; collaborating with the office of the attorney general to implement reforms pursuant to federal grant requirements; and making recommendations for institutional reforms necessary to prevent sexual assault and improve the experiences of sexual assault survivors in the criminal justice system.
Status: SB 2648 is DEAD
Domestic Violence Timelines
HB 2457 Concerning timelines in criminal cases involving domestic violence
SUPPORT
HB 2457 specifies timeframes for which domestic violence no-contact orders entered as a condition of sentence remain in effect. Extends the maximum time that a superior court may suspend a non-felony domestic violence sentence to five years.
Status: HB 2457 is in the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
Action: Contact your representatives and ask for their support and YES vote on HB 2457.
Modifying the Definition of Rape
HB 2465 Modifying the offense of rape in the third degree
SUPPORT
HB 2465 modifies the offense of rape in the third degree by removing the stipulation that lack of consent must be clearly expressed by victim’s words.
Status: HB 2465 has passed out of the House Public Safety Committee and is likely to be sent to the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
Action: Contact your and ask for their support and YES vote on HB 2465.
Sexual Assault Kit Notification
HB 2585 – Concerning hospital notification of availability of sexual assault evidence kit collection.
SUPPORT
HB2585 requires a hospital that does not provide sexual assault evidence kit collection, or does not have a provider available that can perform the collection, to notify the individual presenting at the emergency department requesting or requiring the sexual assault evidence kit collection that it does not perform sexual assault evidence kit collection and provide a list of the nearest hospitals, health care facilities, and health care practitioners that provide sexual assault evidence kit collection. It further states that the failure of a hospital to comply is punishable by a civil penalty of two thousand dollars.
Status: HB 2585 is in the House Rules Committee where can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
Action: Contact your representatives and let them know that you support HB 2585 and ask for a YES vote.
Employment Protection for Survivors of Domestic Assault
HB 2661 Protecting survivors of domestic assault from employment discrimination.
SUPPORT
HB 2661 provides protections for a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking from employment discrimination.
Status: HB 2661 is currently in the Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
Action: Contact your representatives and let them know you support HB 2661 and ask for a YES vote on this bill.
Sexual Harassment Claims Privacy
HB 2778 Protecting personal information regarding sexual harassment claims.
SUPPORT
HB 2778 Exempts the following from public inspection and copying under the public records act: The personal information of an agency employee who has made a claim with the agency of sexual harassment and has requested that his or her personal information not be disclosed without his or her consent.
Subjects a person to civil liability if he or she: (1) Requests and obtains the personal information of an agency employee that has made a claim of sexual harassment; and
(2) Uses the information to harass, stalk, threaten, or intimidate that employee.
Status: HB 2778 is in the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
Action: Contact your representatives and ask for their support and YES vote on HB 2778.
Missing Native American Women
HB 2951 Ordering a study to determine how to increase reporting and investigation of missing Native American women.
SUPPORT
HB 2951 finds that Native American women experience violence at much higher rates than other populations. A recent federal study reported that Native American women face murder rates over ten times the national average. However, many of these crimes often are unsolved and even unreported because there are also very high rates of disappearances among Native American women. Furthermore, there is no comprehensive data collection system for reporting or tracking missing Native American women. This gap in reporting and investigation places Native American women even more vulnerable to violence.
This bill requires the WA State Patrol to conduct a study to determine how to increase state criminal justice protective and investigative resources for reporting and identifying missing Native American women in the state.
By December 1, 2018, the state patrol must report to the legislature on the results of the study, including data and analysis of the number of missing Native American women in the state, identification of barriers in providing state resources to address the issue, and recommendations, including any proposed legislation that may be needed to address the problem.
Status: HB 2951 is in the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for vote by the full House.
Action: Contact your representatives and ask for their support and YES vote on HB 2951.
Trigger Modification Devices
SB 5992 Concerning bump-fire stocks
SUPPORT
SB 5992 prohibits a person from manufacturing, owning, buying, selling, loaning, furnishing, transporting, or having in possession or under control, a bump-fire stock. SB 5992 defines a bump-fire stock as a butt stock designed to be attached to a semiautomatic firearm with the effect of increasing the rate of fire achievable with the semiautomatic firearm to that of a fully automatic firearm by using the energy from the recoil of the firearm to generate reciprocating action that facilitates repeated activation of the trigger.
Status: SB 5992 has passed the Senate and is in the House Judiciary Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Friday, February 9th at 8:00 AM.
Action: Contact your representatives and members of the House Judiciary Committee and let them know that you support SB 5992 and ask that it be passed out of committee.
Initiative 940 – De-Escalate Washington
HI 940 and SI 940 – De-Escalate Washington — Concerns Law Enforcement
SUPPORT
Initiative 940 is an initiative to the legislature from the people of Washington. The Office of the WA Secretary of State certified that this measure qualified for consideration by the legislature this past week. This measure would require law enforcement to receive violence de-escalation, mental-health, and first-aid training, and provide first-aid; and change standards for use of deadly force, adding a “good faith” standard and independent investigation. SI 940 is the Senate version and HI 940 is the House version.
Status: HI 940 has not yet been referred to a house committee.
SI 940 has been referred to the Senate Law and Justice Committee.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Law and Justice Committee and request a public hearing and executive session to pass Initiative 940 out of committee.
HOUSE COMMITEESAgriculture and Natural Resources Committee:Brian Blake (Chair), Mike Chapman (Vice Chair), Vincent Buys, Tom Dent, Bruce Chandler, Joe Fitzgibbon, Joel Kretz, Kristine Lytton, Ed Orcutt, Eric Pettigrew, June Robinson, Joe Schmick, Larry Springer, Derek Stanford, and Jim Walsh
Appropriations Committee:Timm Ormsby (Chair), June Robinson (Vice Chair), Bruce Chandler, Drew MacEwen, Drew Stokesbary, Steve Berquist, Vincent Buys, Michelle Caldier, Eileen Cody, Cary Condatta, Joe Fitzgibbon, Paul Graves, Larry Haler, Drew Hansen, Paul Harris, Zack Hudgins, Laurie Jinkins, Ruth Kagi, Kristine Lytton, Matt, Manweller, Eric Pettigrew, Gerry Pollet, David Sawyer, Joe Schmick, Tana Senn, Larry Springer, Derek Stanford, Pat Sullivan, David Taylor, Steve Tharinger, Brandon Vick, Mike Volz, and J.T. Wilcox
Early Learning and Human Services Committee:Ruth Kagi (Chair), Tana Senn (Vice Chair), Tom Dent, Bob McCaslin, Carolyn Eslick, Noel Frame, Roger Goodman, Dan Griffey, Christine Kilduff, Brad Klippert, John Lovick, Dick Muri, and Lillian Ortiz-Self
Education Committee:Sharon Tomiko Santos (Chair), Laurie Dolan (Vice Chair), Monica Jurado Stonier, Paul Harris, Dick Muri, Steve Berquist, Michelle Caldier, Mark Hargrove, Norm Johnson, Christine Kilduff, John Lovick, Bob McCaslin, Lillian Ortiz-Self, Tana Senn, Vandana Slatter, Mike Steele, Drew Stokesbary, Javier Valdez, and Mike Volz
Finance Committee:Kristine Lytton (Chair), Noel Frame (Vice Chair), Terry Nealey, Ed Orcutt, Cary Condotta, Laurie Dolan, Gerry Pollet, Larry Springer, Drew Stokesbary, J.T. Wilcox, and Sharon Wylie
Health Care and Wellness Committee:Eileen Cody (Chair), Nicole Macri (Vice Chair), Joe Schmick, Paul Graves, Michelle Caldier, Judy Clibborn, Richard Debolt, Paul Harris, Laurie Jinkins, Drew MacEwen, Jacquelin Maycumber, Marcus Riccelli, June Robinson, Jay Rodne, Vandana Slatter, Monica Juarado Stonier, and Steve Tharinger
Judiciary CommitteeLaurie Jinkins (Chair), Christine Kilduff (Vice Chair), Jay Rodne, Paul Graves, Roger Goodman, Larry Haler, Drew Hansen, Steve Kirby, Brad Klippert, Dick Muri, Tina Orwall, Matt Shea, and Javier Valdez
Labor and Workplace Standards Committee:Mike Sells (Chair), Mia Gregorson (Vice-Chair), Gina McCabe, Liz Pike, Beth Doglio, Noel Frame, and Matt Manweller
Public Safety Committee:
Roger Goodman (Chair), Mike Pellicciotti (Vice Chair), Brad Klippert, Dave Hayes, Sherry Appleton, Mike Chapman, Dan Griffey, Jeff Holy, Tina Orwall, Eric Pettigrew, and Luanne Van Werven
Rules Committee:
Frank Chopp (Chair), Dan Kristiansen, Joel Kretz, Steve Berquist, Larry Haler, Mark Hargrove, Mark Harmsworth, Jeff Holy, Norm Johnson, Vicki Kraft, John Lovick, Joan McBride, Joyce McDonald, Lillian Ortiz-Self, Tina Orwall, Eric Pettigrew, Marcus Riccelli, Larry Springer, Derek Stanford, Monica Jurado Stonier, Pat Sullivan, Gael Tarleton, J.T. Wilcox, and Sharon Wylie
State Government, Elections & Information Technology Committee:
Zach Hudgins (Chair), Laurie Dolan (Vice Chair), Joyce McDonald, Vicki Kraft, Sherry Appleton, Mia Gregerson, Morgan Irwin, Norm Johnson, and Mike Pelliciotti
SENATE COMMITEES
Early Learning and K-12 Committee:Lisa Wellman (Chair), Christine Rolfes (Vice Chair), Hans Zeiger, Andy Billig, Brad Hawkins, Sam Hunt, Mark Mullet, Mike Padden, Jamie Pedersen, and An Rivers
Health and Long Term Care Committee:Annette Cleveland (Chair), Patty Kuderer (Vice Chair), Ann Rivers, Barbara Bailey, Randi Becker, Steve Conway, Joe Fain, Karen Keiser, Mark Mullet, and Kevin Van De Wege
Human Services and Corrections Committee:Jeanne Darneille (Chair), Manka Dhingra (Vice Chair), Steve O’Ban, Reuven Carlyle, David Frockt, Mark Miloscia, and Maureen Walsh
Labor and Commerce Committee:Karen Keiser (Chair), Bob Hasegawa (Vice Chair), Michael Baumgartner, John Braun, Curtis King, Patty Kuderer, Rebecca Saldaña, and Lynda Wilson
Law & Justice Committee:Jamie Pedersen (Chair), Manka Dhingra (Vice Chair), Jan Angel, Mike Padden, Jeannie Darneille, David Frockt, and Lynda Wilson
Rules Committee:Cyrus Habib (Chair), Barbara Bailey, Randi Becker, Andy Billig, Maralyn Chase, Annette Cleveland, Joe Fain, Bob Hasegawa, Sam Hunt, Karen Keiser, Curtis King, Marko Liias, John McCoy, Sharon Nelson, Jamie Pedersen, Mark Schoesler, and Tim Sheldon
State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections Committee:Sam Hunt (Chair), Patty Kuderer (Vice Chair), Mark Miloscia, Rebecca Saldaña, and Hans Zeiger
Ways & Means Committee:Christine Rolfes (Chair), David Frockt (Vice Chair), John Braun, Jim Honeyford, Barbara Bailey, Randi Becker, Andy Billig, Sharon Brown, Reuven Carlyle, Steve Conway, Jeannie Darneille, Joe Fain, Bob Hasegawa, Sam Hunt, Karen Keiser, Mark Mullet, Guy Palumbo, Jamie Pedersen, Kevin Ranker, Ann Rivers, Mark Schoesler, Kevin Van De Wege, Keith Wagoner, and Judy Warnick
Hint: You can view bills by going to the following website and plug in the bill number for which you want to view the history and status: