News Releases

Legislation passed today by the House would take multiple steps to address society’s growing opioid crisis.

“The opioid epidemic is taking a toll on communities around our state, at tremendous financial cost,” said Sen. Annette Cleveland (D-Vancouver), the sponsor of Senate Bill 5380. “The even greater toll, however, is to people and families. The opioid crisis claimed more ...

Humane societies will be able to offer a wide range of veterinary care for pets in low-income households at reduced fees, as a result of legislation passed today by the House on a 77-18 vote.

Senate Bill 5004, sponsored by Sen. Annette Cleveland (D-Vancouver), would remove severe state restrictions on the types of care that can be offered for ...

Potential employers would be prohibited from requesting a job applicant’s wage or salary history, or require that their salary history meet certain criteria, under legislation passed today by the Senate.

“This landmark legislation will help eliminate the perpetuation of inequities suffered by women who have been paid significantly less on average than men with comparable experience doing comparable work,” said ...

Legislation passed unanimously late Wednesday by the Senate will protect patients from being billed extra when they receive medical care involving an out-of-network provider.

“Patients should not be surprised by an unexpected medical bill when they receive health care,” said Sen. Annette Cleveland (D-Vancouver), who sponsored Senate legislation similar to House Bill 1065, the version that wound up as the ...

Legislation passed late Wednesday by the Senate will lay additional groundwork to replace the outdated I-5 Bridge, Sen. Annette Cleveland (D-Vancouver) said.

“The path to the new bridge demands patience and many steps, and this is one of those steps,” Cleveland said. “Each step moves us forward, and together these small steps will deliver the bridge and the major benefits ...

Legislation to address the health threat posed by the ongoing measles outbreak in Clark County awaits a vote of the full Senate after a key committee recommended its adoption. 

“At a time when internet myths and alternate facts make it harder for people to know the truth about the science-based measures that keep our communities safe, we are taking action ...

Health care policies sold in Washington must honor existing patient protections even if those standards are eliminated by action taken at the federal level, under legislation passed Monday by the state Legislature.

House Bill 1870 had passed the House on March 1, but the Senate amended it to include an emergency clause last week after the U.S. Justice Department ...

State law will require health care policies sold in Washington to honor existing consumer protections even if those requirements are reduced by action taken at the federal level, under legislation passed today by the Senate.

“We know that the consumer protections in the Affordable Care Act in 2010 brought tremendous relief to households across our state and ...

You can hear state Sen. Annette Cleveland’s floor speech today recognizing the 47th anniversary of the passage of the Federal Equal Rights Amendment by the U.S. Senate and the 46th anniversary of its passage by the Washington state Senate by clicking here.

Fifteen bills passed today by the Senate would improve health care coverage, access and affordability for vast numbers of people with a wide variety of needs in communities across Washington state.

“When I talk to people, the number-one concern I hear is whether they will able to access the health care coverage they need at a price ...