Category Archives: News Release

01 Mar
0

Senate passes Saldaña’s HEAL Act to ensure environmental justice

  OLYMPIA – Legislation passed today by the Senate would reduce environmental health disparities in Washington state and improve the health of all people in Washington using principles of environmental justice. Senate Bill 5141, also known as the HEAL Act, ...

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26 Feb
0

Liias bill to improve health equity and access for transgender people wins Senate approval

SB 5313, also known as the Gender Affirming Treatment Act and is sponsored by State Sen. Marko Liias (D-Lynnwood), would prohibit health insurers from denying or limiting coverage for gender affirming treatment that is consistent with a protected gender expression or identity, ...

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26 Feb
0

Wilson bill to raise families’ awareness of Education Ombuds passes Senate

  OLYMPIA – Legislation passed today by the Senate would raise awareness among families in the public education system about the services of the Office of Education Ombuds in Washington (OEO). Senate Bill 5376, sponsored by Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn), ...

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25 Feb
0

Employment Security reform bill clears Senate

A bill to reform the Employment Security Department and correct several of the issues that prevented Washingtonians from receiving unemployment benefits in a timely manner received bipartisan support Thursday. Senate Bill 5193, sponsored by Sen. Steve Conway (D-Tacoma), addresses many ...

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25 Feb
0

Senate passes Wilson bill to help kinship caregivers access resources

  OLYMPIA – Legislation passed today by the Senate would help kids in foster care to stay with family members and in their communities where possible. Senate Bill 5151, sponsored by Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn), would also waive licensing fees ...

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24 Feb
0

Senate unanimously passes bills to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault

OLYMPIA – Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault will gain crucial protections and supports, and abusers will be held more accountable, if four bills passed unanimously by the Senate become law. SB 5180, passed today, would make it easier ...

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24 Feb
0

Liias bill to prohibit arbitrary local housing ordinances that limit housing options gets Senate approval

OLYMPIA – A bill to restrict local governments from enacting arbitrary housing restrictions on accessory dwelling units (ADU) and home occupancy was approved by the Senate by a vote of 43-6 on Wednesday.Add New SB 5235, sponsored by State Sen. Marko ...

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23 Feb
0

Liias bill to expand blood donation options to 16- and 17-year-olds gets Senate approval

A bill to expand eligibility for a certain type of blood donation to 16- and 17-year-olds was approved by the Senate by a vote of 48-1 on Tuesday. SB 5179, sponsored by State Sen. Marko Liias (D-Lynnwood) would allow people ages 16 and ...

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23 Feb
0

Nobles’ parks pilot focuses on health of disenfranchised youth

The Senate has passed legislation to create a task force to develop a pilot wellness program to address the health impacts of systematic inequities and discrimination. “This is about opening the doors to the outdoors for communities that need healing, ...

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23 Feb
0

Stanford bill to engage tribes in emergency management passes Senate

OLYMPIA – Native American tribes would gain a say in Washington state’s emergency management preparations under legislation passed unanimously today by the Senate. “Emergencies do not recognize borders,” said Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), the bill’s sponsor. “It’s crucial that federally ...

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