WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Representative Freeman hits the ground running in inaugural legislative session

SoccerFamilyThe first legislative session can be marathon of public hearings, executive sessions, and vote counting for first session freshman legislators. Representative Roger Freeman distinguished himself as a skillful navigator of this complex process as Governor Inslee signed into law four pieces of legislation sponsored by the 30th district legislator.

Research clearly demonstrates that children and parents who have been separated through the child welfare system, have very poor life outcomes. HB 1821 aims to reverse that trend by encouraging the safe reunification of families and reducing costs to Washington’s foster care system.

“Our children are among the most vulnerable in our society—and those in the child welfare system are at an extreme disadvantage,” said Freeman, a public defender who built a career working with families at risk. “I’m proud to have been an advocate for these changes to help strengthen families who have encountered the child welfare system, and provide a path for hope, recovery and success.”

Other Freeman measures approved by Governor Inslee include:

House Bill 1774 requires a study of the state’s child welfare system to develop measurements and performance metrics for safety, permanency and well-being. The information gathered will be used to monitor and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the foster care system.

House Bill 1265 resolves an issue with non-moving traffic violation tickets. It requires updated ticket language to state that failure to respond or appear in court may result (rather than will result) in driver’s license suspension. This provides proper notification of state law and protects due process rights.

House Bill 1868 was inspired by Wynn Loiland, a South Sound firefighter who was struck by a car when responding to an incident on I-5. It ensures that firefighters and police officers who are catastrophically injured in the line of duty are cared for by expanding eligibility for reimbursement of medical insurance premium costs for members of the Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System Plan 2.