News Releases

OLYMPIA — A bipartisan bill restricting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in making prior authorization determinations was heard in the House Health Care & Wellness Committee Wednesday. Senate Bill 5395, sponsored by Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), prohibits private insurance companies and Washington’s public employee health programs from using AI as the only means to deny, delay, or modify ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to increase support for survivors of sexual and domestic violence has advanced out of the Senate Law & Justice Committee.  Senate Bill 6017, sponsored by Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), aims to reduce the retraumatization of survivors in the courtroom by allowing courts to appoint other people to cross-examine them in cases where defendants have chosen to ...

OLYMPIA — A bill aimed at improving the health of people who live in communities around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was heard Wednesday in the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. People living under flight paths near Sea-Tac Airport are exposed to more noise pollution and higher concentrations of ultrafine particle pollution associated with aircraft, which has been linked to asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart disease, breast and ...

Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) issued the following statement in support of Washington's Somali community: Over the past few weeks, the Somali community, especially those who operate childcare centers in our district, has become a target of harassment and baseless allegations of wrongdoing. I’m deeply saddened by how our Somali neighbors have been treated and made to feel unwelcome and unsafe in their own homes. Our Somali neighbors are valued members of our district who contribute to the beautiful diversity of Washington state. I stand ...

OLYMPIA — Three bills sponsored by Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) were signed into law Tuesday. Senate Bill 5355 improves safety on college campuses and increases support for survivors of sexual assault. Beginning in the 2027 fall academic term, student identification cards at public colleges and universities must include the hotline for a regional organization providing 24/7 support for survivors ...

OLYMPIA – A bill requiring Washington movie theaters to provide open captioning options for movie screenings passed the Senate Tuesday. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires movie theaters to provide viewers with closed captioning devices upon request, but they currently do not have to display subtitles on the main screen for any film screenings. Senate Bill 5486, sponsored by Sen. ...

OLYMPIA – A bill establishing stronger regulations to protect residents of memory care facilities passed the Senate unanimously Tuesday. Senate Bill 5337, sponsored by Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), would require the Department of Social and Health Services to develop, implement, and oversee a new memory care certification. The bill prohibits anyone without certification from operating or maintaining a memory ...

OLYMPIA – A consumer protection bill expanding the Foreclosure Fairness Act (FFA) passed the Senate Friday. Senate Bill 5686, sponsored by Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), expands the FFA to include homeowners facing foreclosure due to unpaid homeowner association (HOA) assessments. Currently, homeowners facing HOA-related foreclosure have no access to state-supported mediation, leaving them at increased risk of losing their ...

OLYMPIA — A bill expanding training for Title IX investigators and police officers on investigating and responding to sexual assault passed the Senate unanimously Tuesday. Senate Bill 5356, sponsored by Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), requires Title IX investigators at colleges and universities to receive training from the Criminal Justice Training Commission on investigating sexual assault and gender-based violence. Sexual assault ...

OLYMPIA – A bill banning Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) generated by artificial intelligence (AI) and strengthening child sexual exploitation laws passed the Senate unanimously Wednesday. Senate Bill 5105, sponsored by Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), would remove the requirement that minors be identifiable for the purposes of criminal liability related to sexually explicit depictions of minors. Currently, a person ...