News Releases

OLYMPIA – Washington state could provide hope to incarcerated people who have transformed themselves, under a bill passed by the Senate today. “The criminal justice system sees people at their worst moment in life,” said Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond), the bill’s sponsor. “The system has not been doing a good job recognizing that people change. For many years, our country ...

OLYMPIA – In a decision released this morning, the Washington Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the state law that makes simple possession of drugs a felony crime, because it does not require prosecutors to prove that the possession was intentional. “This is a huge decision that has far-reaching consequences we are just now analyzing,” said Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond). “Under ...

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 for survivors to wipe off their record sentences they received for offenses that were the result of being a victim ...

OLYMPIA – If a law enforcement officer uses excessive force, fellow officers would have a duty to intervene to stop it, under a bill passed today by the Senate. “I have had the pleasure of working with many law enforcement officers in my previous career as a senior deputy prosecutor, and the vast majority are committed to doing the right thing,” ...

REDMOND – Today Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) released this statement regarding protests by farmers in India: “Injustice for one is injustice for all. Farmers in India are standing up for their rights and their livelihoods, and we in Washington must stand with them. “Last summer, we saw people around the world speak out with one voice in support of the Black Lives ...

OLYMPIA – Washington state could create a significantly more accessible and effective civil protection order system with the passage of legislation sponsored by Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) and Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland). SB 5297 and its companion HB 1320 would streamline, update and improve access to the courts for civil protection orders. “Protection orders are intended to be ...

OLYMPIA – Three Washington state senators are taking a multi-pronged approach to supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault as the criminal justice system responds to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond), Sen. Annette Cleveland (D-Vancouver), and Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest) have filed four bills that would help hold offenders accountable while also supporting survivors as ...

OLYMPIA – Washington legislators took a major step today to hold police officers accountable for their actions.

Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond), Rep. John Lovick (D-Mill Creek), and Rep. Bill Ramos (D-Issaquah) filed three bills that would hold law enforcement officers to a high standard of honesty, create a duty to intervene and report when fellow officers break ...

Upon release of the first-ever national survey of Sikh Americans, by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) released the following statement. Please see this link for the press release about the survey results.

“Real change comes from communities. That means we as elected leaders should listen to people about what their communities need, ...

Read More

REDMOND – Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) will host a second annual roundtable discussion on reducing barriers to success for small business. “Last year, we had a terrific meeting with lots of ideas and input from new entrepreneurs,” said Dhingra. “This year, we’ll build on that success and focus on helping small businesses weather the COVID-19 pandemic—and what public and private resources ...