OLYMPIA – As states like Arkansas, Florida, and Texas are considering and passing anti-trans legislation, lawmakers in Washington state are working to protect the rights of those in the trans community. 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. SB 5131 received a concurrence vote in the Senate late Monday, which means the bill now goes to Governor Inslee for consideration.
Read MoreAbout Marko
Senator Marko Liias represents the communities of the 21st Legislative District, which includes neighborhoods in Edmonds, Everett, Lynnwood, and Mukilteo.
A lifelong Washingtonian, Marko was born and raised in the communities he has represented in the Legislature since 2008. After graduating from local Mukilteo public schools, he was the first in his family to go to college and he worked his way through Georgetown University with the help of student loans and scholarships. He received a Master’s in Public Administration from the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Washington.
After college, Marko helped lead a small family business specializing in green residential construction. It was his involvement in the local chamber of commerce that led Marko to consider public service. He was first elected to the Mukilteo City Council in 2005, where he partnered with residents and a community group to save over 100 acres of beautiful forestland in Japanese Gulch from development, preserving it as parkland instead.
Read Marko’s full biography here.
