News Releases

The Senate Labor & Commerce Committee will hear three pieces of legislation sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, to combat sexual harassment in the workplace. When: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Senate Hearing Room 4. Where you can watch it live: /www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2018011337 Brief Summary: ·  Senate Bill 5996 prohibits an employer from requiring an employee, as ...

OLYMPIA – Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, will serve as President Pro Tempore of the Washington State Senate, presiding over the chamber when the lieutenant governor is unavailable. In addition to these duties, Keiser will also chair the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee. “It is an honor and privilege to be elected by my colleagues to preside as President Pro Tem of ...

OLYMPIA – Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, will serve as President Pro Tempore of the Washington State Senate, presiding over the chamber when the lieutenant governor is absent. In addition to these duties, Keiser will also chair the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee. Securing a one-seat majority after a special election victory in Washington’s 45^th Legislative District, Senate Democrats will now ...

OLYMPIA – Following the historic passage of Senate Bill 5975, which establishes a comprehensive statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program in Washington, Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, released the following statement: “Thirty years ago when I was home with my baby daughter, she began to look pale, unhealthy. I took her to the doctor, who told me that her ...

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee today signed legislation providing new protections for pregnant women in the workplace. Senate Bill 5835, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, will ensure that tens of thousands of pregnant workers in Washington are guaranteed scheduling flexibility for prenatal doctors’ visits, readily accessible drinking water, food and seating, and a score of manual labor accommodations. “After ...

OLYMPIA – Legislation requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant women in the workplace today passed the Washington state House of Representatives on a unanimous vote and will be sent to the Governor for signature into law. Senate Bill 5835 will provide several new protections for tens of thousands of pregnant women in Washington workplaces, including more frequent restroom ...

OLYMPIA – On International Women’s Day, a major new bill providing protections for pregnant women in the workplace passed the state Senate unanimously. Sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, Senate Bill 5835 will give pregnant women in the workplace several new protections including increased restroom breaks, access to drinking water, food and seating as well as evidenced-based lifting limits ...

Who: State Sen. Karen Keiser, State Rep. Mia Gregerson, and State Rep. Tina Orwall What: Town hall meeting When: Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Where: Kent City Hall, 220 Fourth Ave S, Kent, WA 98032 Why: To meet with constituents and report on, discuss, and answer questions regarding the 2017 legislative session.

Employers would be prohibited from discriminating against women seeking full health care, under legislation introduced by Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, and 17 other senators. The Senate Commerce, Labor and Sports Committee will hold a hearing on the bill today. “The Hobby Lobby decision allowing privately-held employers to discriminate against women by restricting ...

Responding to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest of Des Moines, WA resident Daniel Ramirez Medina, a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, released the following statement: “I am deeply concerned by the intrusive action taken by ICE agents to arrest a lawfully permitted resident in our community. “In Washington, we have codified on a ...