News Releases

OLYMPIA — A bill to clarify pregnancy and postpartum workplace accommodation requirements was heard Friday in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee.  Senate Bill 6014, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), refines Washington’s Health Starts Act by clarifying when employers may request written certification for pregnancy-related accommodations and strengthening privacy protections for workers.  The bill addresses a technical issue in statute ...

OLYMPIA — A bipartisan bill updating how Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship awards are calculated for students attending private four-year nonprofit institutions of higher education was heard Thursday in the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee.  Senate Bill 5828, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would modify statutory definitions and award formulas for the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship programs ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to address access to medication abortion services at the state's public institutions of higher education was heard Wednesday in the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee.  Senate Bill 5826, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would require public colleges and universities to provide students with access to medication abortion services through student health centers ...

OLYMPIA — Legislation to ensure Washington students receive instruction on Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history was heard Wednesday in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.  Senate Bill 5574, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would require school districts to adopt policies ensuring instruction in Asian American and Native ...

OLYMPIA — A bill addressing the use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated decision systems, and surveillance technologies in the state's public schools was heard Wednesday in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.  Senate Bill 5956, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), establishes statewide requirements and limitations on how these technologies may be used in K-12 public schools, including charter ...

OLYMPIA — A bill establishing statewide standards for the provision of medically tailored meals through certain state-administered health programs was heard Monday in the Senate Human Services Committee.  Senate Bill 5966, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would set requirements for medically tailored meals provided through programs administered by the Department of Social and Health Services and the Health Care ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to address critical funding gaps in Washington’s K-12 schools was signed into law Saturday.  Senate Bill 5192, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), increases state funding for materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC) in public schools and ensures those amounts are adjusted annually for inflation using a specific model. The ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to expand workplace protections for pregnant and postpartum workers was signed into law Tuesday.  Senate Bill 5217, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), expands pregnancy and postpartum workplace accommodations to all employers, regardless of size. It guarantees paid lactation breaks — including travel time if no suitable space is available ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to improve resources for incarcerated individuals and their families was signed into law Tuesday.  Senate Bill 5182, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), will expand access to enhance maternal health care services for incarcerated individuals and update language in state policies to reflect greater inclusivity.   The bill directs the ...

OLYMPIA — As Black Maternal Health Week concludes, two maternal health bills sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest) have passed the Legislature, advancing efforts to expand access to critical care and strengthen protections for pregnant and postpartum individuals in Washington state.  Black Maternal Health Week, observed annually from April 11 to April 17, was founded by the Black Mamas ...