News

  OLYMPIA – Today the Senate passed legislation that would improve public safety by ensuring access to services for formerly incarcerated or confined individuals reentering the community. SB 5304, sponsored by Sen. Claire Wilson, would provide a “warm handoff” when someone leaves custody and rejoins their community by allowing them to be covered by Medicaid upon their release from incarceration or confinement. It would also ensure that their managed care provider is notified of their release and provided the necessary information to initiate their benefits. Healthcare coverage during this transition will give people access to services they need to ...

OLYMPIA – A bill that would create new eviction protections for renters and expand programs to help landlords recover losses from unpaid rent as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis was approved by the Senate by a vote of 29-20 on Thursday. [TVW Link] Senate Bill 5160, sponsored by Sen. Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue), aims to significantly reduce the number of immediate evictions that are expected if the governor’s moratorium is lifted without legislative action. The current eviction moratorium is scheduled to expire on March 31.

OLYMPIA - Families that rely on Washington’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program could see an additional boost in benefits along with clarified expectations under legislation passed today by the Senate. Senate Bill 5214, sponsored by Sen. Joe Nguyen (D-West Seattle), would allow more families to continue using the vital social program during times of high statewide unemployment. The bill passed on a 29-19 vote and would allow for hardship extensions beyond the 60-month lifetime TANF limit if state unemployment is at or above 7 percent. “Even before the public health crisis we are currently in, it was ...

A bill aimed at expanding community-based support systems for Washingtonians living with mental illnesses passed the Washington State Senate today. Engrossed Senate Bill 5328, sponsored by Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes), would make funding available to establish Clubhouse services statewide. Clubhouses are voluntary programs that enable those struggling with mental illnesses to focus on their strengths in a collaborative setting. The program provides an opportunity for people in similar situations to recover and improve their lives through friendship, shared work, education and employment. The bill would also require the Department of Health to review and redesign the licensure and ...

OLYMPIA – A bill to better protect workers during a public health crisis was approved by the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 40-7 on Tuesday. SB 5254, sponsored by Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline), would bar employers from prohibiting employees from wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when a public health state of emergency is declared because of an infectious disease.

  OLYMPIA – Legislation passed today by the Senate would reduce environmental health disparities in Washington state and improve the health of all people in Washington using principles of environmental justice. Senate Bill 5141, also known as the HEAL Act, would address the disproportionate exposure of Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, along with low-income communities to environmental hazards in neighborhoods across Washington state. Due to this exposure, there is a higher risk of adverse health outcomes for those communities, which is further amplified for communities with pre-existing economic barriers and environmental risks. The HEAL Act, sponsored ...

  OLYMPIA – Legislation passed today by the Senate would raise awareness among families in the public education system about the services of the Office of Education Ombuds in Washington (OEO). Senate Bill 5376, sponsored by Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn), would require public schools to notify students and their families of the services available through OEO in at least one of two ways. Starting Sept. 1, 2021, schools would need to either include a link to OEO’s website on the school’s website or include contact information and a description of OEO services in annually shared materials such ...

OLYMPIA – A bill sponsored by Sen. Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue) that would prohibit the open carry of firearms and other weapons on the state capitol grounds and within 250 feet of permitted public demonstrations was approved by the Senate by a vote of 28-20 on Thursday.

A bill to reform the Employment Security Department and correct several of the issues that prevented Washingtonians from receiving unemployment benefits in a timely manner received bipartisan support Thursday. Senate Bill 5193, sponsored by Sen. Steve Conway (D-Tacoma), addresses many of the problems exposed in the wake of the layoffs caused by the pandemic and resulting “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” orders. The bill, which passed on a 48-0 vote, will implement additional oversight and performance measures at ESD to ensure Washingtonians who have lost their job will find a more responsive agency, receive benefits quickly and securely ...