Author Archives: kenf

16 May
0

Legislature prioritizes funding, policy to tackle behavioral health

OLYMPIA — Washington state’s behavioral health system is coming out of the 2023 legislative session with nearly $1 billion in new funding and crucial innovative initiatives established. “With the rollout of Washington’s new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, our state ...

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26 Apr
0

WA Legislature establishes fellowship for journalism in the public interest

OLYMPIA – Small towns around Washington state that have seen local news wither will get a civic shot in the arm from new funding in the state’s budget, passed Sunday. The appropriation of $2.4 million over the next two years, ...

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14 Apr
0

Senate OKs Keiser bill to safeguard access to abortion medication

OLYMPIA – Washingtonians would be guaranteed uninterrupted access to the safe, effective medication used in nearly 60% of abortions in the state, under a bill passed by the Senate today on a 28-18 party-line vote after a lengthy debate. At ...

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12 Apr
0

Keiser bill to safeguard access to abortion medication passes Senate committee

OLYMPIA – Washingtonians would be guaranteed uninterrupted access to the safe, effective medication used in nearly 60% of abortions in the state, under a bill that passed the Senate Ways & Means Committee today. At the direction of Gov. Jay ...

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06 Apr
0

Dhingra bill strengthening protections against hate crimes signed into law

OLYMPIA — A new law signed today by Gov. Jay Inslee will ensure hate crimes can be more effectively prosecuted and courts can require offenders to complete rehabilitative programs. “Hate crimes are horrific acts of violence that do more than ...

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30 Mar
0

Keiser bill permanently caps insulin at $35 per month

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee today signed SB 5729, which ensures that Washingtonians with diabetes will continue to pay no more than $35 a month for insulin. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines). In 2022, legislators ...

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29 Mar
0

Keiser bill will make WA third state to ban pre-employment cannabis tests

OLYMPIA – New hires in Washington will no longer have to take cannabis tests as a condition of employment, under legislation passed today by the House. Washington joins California and Nevada in banning pre-employment discrimination based on cannabis. Having received ...

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06 Mar
0

Senate OKs bill to increase number of doctors who perform autopsies

OLYMPIA — Washington’s acute shortage of trained forensic pathologists would be eased under legislation passed unanimously today by the Senate. The scarcity of forensic pathologists — doctors who perform autopsies — has led to monthslong delays before bodies can be ...

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01 Mar
0

Senate unanimously approves Dhingra crisis relief center bill

OLYMPIA — Washington state would license innovative crisis relief centers for people with behavioral health needs, providing an alternative to emergency rooms and jails, under legislation passed unanimously today by the Senate. SB 5120, sponsored by Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond), ...

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01 Mar
0

Senate unanimously passes Keiser bill banning female genital mutilation

OLYMPIA – Washington would become the 41st state in the country to outlaw female genital mutilation (FGM), under legislation passed unanimously today by the Senate. FGM, the cutting or removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons, is often ...

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