News - Washington Senate Democrats

Bill to implement inclusive learning curriculum passes Senate

by sdcadminFeb 28 20230 Comments

OLYMPIA – Legislation to implement inclusive learning standards in Washington schools passed the Senate today on a vote of 29-19. Senate Bill 5462, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett), would update learning standards to include the histories, contributions, and perspectives of LGBTQ people, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion standards.

“Every student deserves to feel represented by the material they’re learning, and when they hear their stories in the school curriculum, students are more likely to be successful and engaged in the classroom,” said Liias.

Inclusive curricula ...

WA LGBTQ Caucus Issues Statement Regarding Texas Gov's Anti-Trans Directive

by sdcadminFeb 26 20220 Comments

We, the Washington State Legislature's LGBTQ Caucus, stand with the Trans youth in Texas and condemn Texas Gov. Abbott's horrific directive to investigate gender-affirming care for trans youth. Trans, gender-diverse, and gender non-binary folks are nearly 12 times more likely to attempt suicide. This rate increases when they can’t access gender-affirming care. Gender-affirming care is suicide prevention-- it saves lives.

These new Texan rules will do nothing but harm Trans and gender diverse youth for no other reason than being themselves. A state government should help and ...

Crosscut: WA proposed budget funds stipends to attract low-income board members

by sdcadminFeb 18 20220 Comments

$50,000 is allocated for constituents to help shape boards and commissions with their lived experiences.

Drayton Jackson was homeless for two decades, living in shelters in New York City and, later, Washington state. Over the years, he compiled notes on what it’s like to experience homelessness and how policymakers could help, and now he uses that knowledge and experience to lead an anti-poverty work group and create the Foundation for Homeless and Poverty Management.

Jackson and his colleagues receive a stipend for serving on the Poverty Reduction Work Group, although the majority of state advisory positions come with no ...

Whitman County Gazette: Police restraint gets clarification in House bill

by sdcadminFeb 10 20220 Comments

OLYMPIA – Those suffering mental health issues and juveniles could be restrained by law enforcement responding to crises.

That is the thrust of House Bill 1735, which passed the state House with a 90-5 vote and is now under consideration in the Senate.

The bill is intended to end confusion stemming from last year’s House Bill 1310, which prevented responders from receiving police assistance in detaining or transporting people.

“We’re talking about hands-on… whether law enforcement can physically interact with people, not to hurt them but to help them,” Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, said.

“We’re talking about people in a mental ...

Liias’ Gender Affirming Treatment Act wins House approval

by sdcadminMar 25 20210 Comments

OLYMPIA – A bill that would require health insurers to cover medically necessary gender affirming treatment in their health plans was approved by the House on Wednesday. SB 5313, also known as the Gender Affirming Treatment Act and is sponsored by State Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett), would prohibit health insurers from denying or limiting coverage for gender affirming treatment that is consistent with a protected gender expression or identity, is medically necessary, and is prescribed in accordance with accepted standards of care. Many health plans in Washington state classify gender confirmation treatment as cosmetic and therefore such treatment is ...

Liias bill to improve health equity and access for transgender people wins Senate approval

by sdcadminFeb 26 20210 Comments

SB 5313, also known as the Gender Affirming Treatment Act and is sponsored by State Sen. Marko Liias (D-Lynnwood), would prohibit health insurers from denying or limiting coverage for gender affirming treatment that is consistent with a protected gender expression or identity, is medically necessary, and is prescribed in accordance with accepted standards of care.

Letter from LGBTQ Caucus to State Health Care Authority requesting open access to HIV treatments for Medicaid patients

by sdcadminDec 15 20200 Comments

Virginia Buccola, Chair Washington State Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee and Drug Utilization Review Board Washington State Health Care Authority Re: HIV Policy Dear Ms. Buccola: The undersigned are members of the LGBTQ caucus of the Washington State Legislature. We are writing to ask the Washington State Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee and Drug Utilization Review Board to ensure open access to the full range of HIV treatments for Washington State Medicaid patients. As Covid-19 continues to exact a disproportionate toll on immunocompromised and at-risk LGBTQ citizens throughout the state, the state has an opportunity to act in order to protect some of the most ...

Governor approves ban on ‘panic defense’ in LGBTQ assault cases

by sdcadminMar 05 20200 Comments

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law today a bill that will prevent defendants from citing a victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation — the so-called “panic defense” — to justify a violent assault.

House Bill 1687 was introduced in 2019 by then-Rep. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell). Now a state senator, Stanford moved it through the Senate this year to full passage by the Legislature.

HB 1687 makes clear that the discovery of a person’s actual or perceived gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation provides no justification ...