Watch Bob Hasegawa’s most recent legislative update by clicking the image above.
Hello everyone,
During the 2020 Legislative Session, I plan to keep you updated on our progress with regular legislative update videos.
In this video, I introduce you to my office staff to ensure that you, my constituents, know how to reach me to provide feedback on bills making their way through the House and Senate. My new legislative aide Jenny Chang is a great point of contact, and a great resource for the people in the 11th District. You can find her contact information at the bottom of this email.
This session, I introduced a few bills to help improve our education system:
- Senate Bill 6047 would prohibit school districts from firing, demoting, or otherwise discriminating against staff members who report noncompliance with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). This bill helps ensure that youth with IEPs are getting adequate education, and that their IEPs are followed. You can watch a video of my committee testimony here.
- Senate Bill 6066 expands Washington’s existing ethnic studies requirements, requiring the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to provide materials for all grades. Last year, I sponsored the bill that created the current policy, which encourages ethnic studies for grades 7-12. This type of education helps youth feel more comfortable about themselves and their place in the world, and promotes a greater global understanding. You can watch my committee testimony here.
- Senate Bill 6067 removes a barrier to people becoming teachers by eliminating a test they must currently take. We are seriously lacking in qualified teachers, and teachers must currently pay money to a for-profit company to take this test. Washington needs a diverse group of teachers, and this barrier is particularly burdensome for low-income teaching candidates. You can watch my committee testimony here.
As always, I look forward to hearing from you about the ways we can make the 11th District and all of Washington a more equitable home for all of its residents. I hope you’ll stay in touch.
In solidarity,
