FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 13, 2023 Press Inquiries | 360.786.7298, erin.hut@leg.wa.gov OLYMPIA – Legislation to protect transgender and at-risk youth seeking gender-affirming or reproductive care passed the House on Wednesday. Sen. Marko Liias’ (D-Everett) Senate Bill 5599 affirms that trans youth are protected in Washington state by removing barriers to safe shelter. This legislation gives meaningful choices to young people who may not have supportive families at home so they do not end up on the street, but instead have shelter options when seeking this life-saving care. Under current law, licensed shelters must notify parents if a child comes into their care, unless ...
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About Marko
Senator Marko Liias is a lifelong Washingtonian born and raised in the neighborhoods he now serves. He represents the communities of the 21st Legislative District, which includes neighborhoods in Edmonds, Everett, Lynnwood, and Mukilteo.
Marko was appointed to the House of Representatives in 2008 and won re-election three times. He was appointed to the Senate in 2014 and is currently serving his third term as a senator. Throughout his service in the Legislature, he has prioritized policies to increase access to public transportation across Washington, provide educational and career opportunities for students, make the state safer and more inclusive for LGBTQ+ youth, and build an economy that works for everyone.
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Marko In The News
Everett Herald: In Olympia, Finnish president makes case for NATO, strong ties with WA
OLYMPIA — In a historic appearance in Olympia, Finland President Sauli Niinistö ...
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Everett Herald: A presidential visit and a Blake bill passes in the Senate
OLYMPIA, March 6, 2023 — Welcome to the Monday edition. Hope you ...
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Seattle Times Opinion: What the right has wrong about caring for trans youth
Across the country, lawmakers are debating legislation that will directly impact transgender ...
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The Columbian In Our View: Driver’s ed bills would put state on safer route
As Washington’s experience with driver’s education demonstrates, the private sector is not ...
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Everett Herald: No right turns on red gets a look, a bid to expand sports betting arrives
OLYMPIA, Jan. 30, 2023 — Welcome to a new week. Traffic safety ...
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The Seattle Times: Washington traffic safety is ‘a crisis that we can’t ignore,’ lawmakers say
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, alongside Gov. Jay Inslee, pledged ...
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Everett Herald: Lawmakers prepare for first in-person session since 2020
OLYMPIA — Washington’s 147 citizen legislators return to the state Capitol on ...
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Crosscut: Transit users 18 and younger ride free under new WA program
Washingtonians 18 and under soon won’t have to pay to use public ...
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Lynnwood Times: New multimodal $79.4 million Swift Orange Bus Rapid Transit line breaks ground in Lynnwood
Sticking with its mission to “help people get from where they are ...
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The Stand: It just got much easier to access Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Last fall, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) announced a series of ...
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