While protecting all Washingtonians from federal overreach, addressing affordability and fixing our budget are my biggest priorities, I want to highlight the bills that I have prime sponsored this session that are advancing after a key policy cutoff.
Supporting the recovery of missing people – Senate Bill 6070
When someone in our community goes missing, we must ensure we can deploy every possible resource to find them safely. This bill updates our missing endangered persons statute to ensure that our neighbors struggling with severe mental illness, suicidal ideation, and those with developmental disabilities are found safely in a timely manner. This alert will now be called the Purple Alert. The bill would also create the Ebony Alert to ensure that when a Black person is reported missing, their case receives the same urgency, visibility, and resources as other missing persons cases. It is modeled on the success of the Amber Alert.
I’m honored to work with students from Lake Washington High School (pictured above) on the Purple Alert aspect of this bill and the Silent Task Force (pictured below) on the Ebony Alert. KING 5 recently ran a story on their work.
Strengthening health care market standards – Senate Bill 6208
We should all be concerned with the influx of private equity in our healthcare market and we need to ensure we are bringing transparency to mergers, acquisitions, and affiliations in this space to ensure people can get the care they need. Thank you to Rep. Taylor for her partnership on this policy.
Assessing threats to the Court of Appeals – Senate Bill 6011
We are seeing a rise in threats to public officials across our country, including to our judges. These threats are extremely alarming and an affront to our democracy. Ensuring our judges can do their jobs safely is essential to protecting our court system and safeguarding our democracy.
Recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas – Senate Bill 6044
Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, symbolized by the lighting of lamps and the renewal of faith and prosperity. Bandi Chhor Divas, observed by Sikhs, commemorates liberation and reflects values of courage, justice, and selfless leadership. Together, these observances highlight shared themes of renewal, compassion, and unity. This would be the first time the state of Washington recognizes Indian holidays.
Requiring arbitration for tort claims against the state and its political subdivisions – Senate Bill 6239
State government must provide a broad range of services and perform a broad range of functions, regardless of how much exposure to liability may be involved. In Washington, we value the right to a jury trial for all claimants, and we must balance the different values, rights and fiscal responsibility in addressing tort liability.
Reinstituting parole – Senate Bill 6074
People need hope and an opportunity to rehabilitate when incarcerated. This bill will allow certain incarcerated individuals to apply for parole.
How to participate
Learn how a bill becomes a law.
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Reach out at Manka.Dhingra@leg.wa.gov. You can also call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000.
My office is here to help whenever you have questions or concerns. It is an honor to represent you.
Sincerely,
Manka Dhingra
Senator, 45th Legislative District
Deputy Majority Leader
