News Releases

  OLYMPIA – Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn) received the State Sex Education Champion award late Wednesday from SIECUS, a national organization that advocates for and advances comprehensive sexuality education policies. The State Sex Education Champion award recognizes leaders who speak to the importance of all people receiving comprehensive sexuality education and quality sexual and reproductive health services that affirm their identities and ...

  OLYMPIA – Sweeping legislation passed today by the Senate would address one of the leading challenges for Washington households by dramatically increasing the accessibility and affordability of childcare while stabilizing and expanding an industry in crisis. “Childcare tops the list of concerns for the vast majority of our households,” said Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn), the bill’s sponsor. “This bill will help ...

  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 ...

  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 ...

OLYMPIA – Earlier today, Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn) and Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island) introduced companion legislation to address the child care crisis costing our families, businesses and economy. We must make child care more affordable and accessible for families across Washington state. Child care was in crisis before the COVID-19 pandemic, and now it’s on the brink of collapse. According to a Read More

  OLYMPIA – Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn) has won a seat on the Senate Rules Committee, the entity that determines whether a bill will receive a vote of the full Senate or die in committee. “Education is one of our most important priorities, both for our children’s futures and for the overall health of our communities, but there’s tremendous competition in Rules ...

Two new laws signed today by Gov. Inslee will ensure the delivery of full childcare benefits for eligible households under the Working Connections Childcare (WWC) program and will improve teen parents’ chances of attaining the education and graduation credentials to position them and their children for more successful lives. “Childcare has never been more needed or less accessible than it is ...

Juvenile holding facilities may no longer subject teens to solitary confinement, except in extraordinary circumstances, under a law signed today by Gov. Jay Inslee. “Solitary confinement is damaging to youth. It traumatizes them and hinders their ability to learn, grow and reintegrate into society,” said Rep. Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds), the sponsor of House Bill 2277. “Subjecting kids to solitary confinement ...

A new law signed today by Gov. Inslee allows childcare providers the additional time some need to make remedial improvements that improve quality of care. Senate Bill 6483, sponsored by Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn), updates the state’s Early Achievers rating requirements to allow certain childcare providers 12 months instead of 6 to complete remedial activities necessary to satisfy requirements. The ...

A law signed today by Gov. Jay Inslee extends to childcare facilities the same prohibitions on deadly weapons that apply to K-12 schools. “Our younger children deserve the same degree of safety as our school-age youths,” said Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn), the bill’s sponsor. “Whether it’s school or childcare, when parents see their kids off in the morning, they expect them ...