News Releases

OLYMPIA — Residents living near Sea-Tac International Airport, who face disproportionate health risks due to aircraft noise and pollution, could receive assistance to repair failing soundproofing for their houses under legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support by the House today. SB 5955, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), establishes a grant program managed by the Washington State Department of Commerce, ...

OLYMPIA – Washington is experiencing a critical time where access to mental health care is more important than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing mental health challenges, leaving many individuals struggling to find the support they need. Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), who also introduced and passed the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, introduced House Bill 1939 to address this issue by ...

OLYMPIA – As the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline gains traction, crisis responders have expressed concern regarding a lack of liability protections similar to those afforded to emergency medical personnel and 988 hotline staff. Today, the Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2088 to help provide these protections.  Sponsored by Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), who previously ...

OLYMPIA – As the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline gains momentum, Washington State is taking a crucial step to support its success with House passage of House Bill 2088. Introduced by Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) who in 2021 also introduced and passed HB 1477 establishing the 988 lifeline. This year’s legislation strengthens this vital safety by extending liability protections to mobile rapid ...

OLYMPIA - A beacon of hope has risen for survivors of sexual assault, harassment, and gender-based violence on Washington’s college campuses. Today, the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee passed House Bill 2242. Introduced by Representative Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), House Bill 2242 aims to transform how higher education institutions handle these sensitive issues.  At the core of HB 2242 lies a survivor-centric approach ...

OLYMPIA — Legislators, local elected officials, and community members gathered at a press conference Monday to demand economic and social justice for people living near Sea-Tac Airport. Speakers supported legislation (SB 5955/HB 2103) to direct a small portion of Port of Seattle revenue as well as funding from the state’s Climate Commitment Act to address the significant noise and air ...

OLYMPIA – This afternoon, Governor Jay Inslee signed HB 1028, a bill to promote victim-centered, trauma-informed practices in the legal system. Sponsored by Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, the bill is based on the work of the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Best Practices Advisory Group (SAFE Advisory Group), which was initially established in 2019 within the Attorney General’s Office to ...

Today the Governor signed the companion to my bill to remove defects and omissions including unconstitutional statues from the Revised Code of Washington. The Washington State Supreme Court ruled the death penalty statute unconstitutional in 2018. It has been applied unequally and unfairly. Today we have taken a step toward justice and fairness and ended the death penalty in ...

OLYMPIA—Housing has been a priority this session for Washington legislators, and Rep. Tina Orwall knows a thing or two about helping families keep their homes. In 2011, the Des Moines Democrat authored the bill that created the Foreclosure Fairness Act (FFA) and has since continued adding protections for homeowners, this year, with the introduction of HB 1349 and HB 1636. “I have seen ...

OLYMPIA—The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a new crisis hotline that people can call for help in behavioral health emergencies separate from 911. In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission designated 988 as the new nationwide three-digit number for suicide prevention. In 2021, Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, sponsored HB 1477 to support the new number and expand behavioral health crisis response ...