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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 21, 2022 Legislation proposed by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma), SB 5702, would allow new parents to affordably access donor breast milk by requiring that health plans and the state Medicaid program provide coverage for donor breast milk. “This bill is deeply personal to me and to so many new or expecting parents in our communities,” said Trudeau. “I understand the struggle, the shame and the trauma that accompanies difficult labor and the inability to produce the nutrients that your baby needs. When I had to go through that, I was not aware that donor ...

Olympia– State Sen. T’wina Nobles has sponsored legislation to address a diaper need for Washington families who are on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Senate Bill 5838, the Diaper Need Act, directs the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to distribute a monthly diaper subsidy to parents or other caregivers who receive TANF and have children under three years old to help pay for diapers. “The cost of diapers is a barrier whether you have one child or four,” said Nobles. “I know how expensive it was for my four children. While costs and hardships have ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 18, 2022 Washington would take a major step to address a lack of data that has hampered law enforcement efforts to reduce violent deaths across the state, if legislation heard today is passed. Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma) filed a bill that would dramatically improve data collection on violent deaths statewide by creating a new Violence and Death Investigation Resource Center and a Criminal Justice Integrated Data System. SB 5776 would establish a Death Investigation Resource Center, to be housed in the state Department of Health and run by a forensic pathologist. The Center would ...

OLYMPIA – It has been a week of firsts in the Washington State Legislature. The swearing in of Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma) on Monday, joining Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) and Sen. Mona Das (D-Kent), marked the first time in American history that Muslim, Sikh and Hindu lawmakers have served together in any state or federal legislative body. Tuesday saw Dhingra and Trudeau presiding over the Senate Law & Justice Committee as chair and vice chair, the first time two South Asian women have served in such roles together in Washington state history. “When I joined the Senate ...

OLYMPIA – Survivors of domestic violence in Washington state could be protected against severe emotional abuse through the civil protection order system through the passage of legislation sponsored by Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) and Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland). SB 5845 and its companion HB 1901 would allow victims to file for protection against coercive control, which is a pattern of behavior that attempts to control a victim through the threat of physical, emotional or psychological harm. It includes manipulation through isolation, intimidation, threats, online stalking or economic control, among other tactics. “Research has shown that ...

Olympia– State Sen. T’wina Nobles has sponsored legislation to provide financial education and support to youth experiencing foster care. Senate Bill 5824, the Fostering Finances Act, will address a gap in financial preparedness for youth who are aging out of foster care by providing an opportunity for all youth experiencing foster care to open a bank account. “When I experienced foster care, I participated in transitional and independent living programs which taught me how to budget and encouraged my growth in financial independence,” said Nobles. “The similar learning environment provided in this bill was how I truly learned ...

OLYMPIA – Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma), vice chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee, will work the initial days of the 2022 legislative session from home after testing positive for COVID-19. “I’m grateful that I can isolate at home with my family to minimize the possibility of spread, and I’m especially glad that my husband and I were vaccinated against this virus,” said Trudeau. “It’s scary to have COVID when we have a little one here at home who’s too young to be vaccinated, but we’re monitoring all of our symptoms extremely closely and know that we ...

Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig announced Saturday he has tested positive for Covid-19. Billig, who is fully vaccinated and boosted, said he has virtually no symptoms and has been quarantining since Tuesday after he thought he may have been exposed. “I am grateful to have been vaccinated and boosted, which I know has prevented me from having any significant symptoms.” said Billig, 53. “I also appreciate that we have the technology in place to facilitate a hybrid legislative session so Senators can fully participate in legislative activities even while they quarantine. I do not expect this positive test ...

Sen. John Lovick announced Friday that he has tested positive for Covid-19. Lovick described his symptoms as “very mild” and expressed relief that he had previously been vaccinated and also received his booster shot. “I’m fine, I have a bit of a cold but other than that I feel OK,” said Lovick, 70. “One thing is for sure – I’m relieved that I’m both vaccinated and boosted. “I wear my mask, I wash my hands about 20 times a day and I still got it. This virus is nothing to mess around with and we all have to do ...