Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It’s been almost two years since the Dobbs decision changed the landscape of reproductive rights across the country. As a lifelong reproductive justice advocate, I’m proud of the work the Legislature has accomplished to ensure our state is a safe haven for those pursuing or providing reproductive health care.
In 2023 we passed bills to protect patients’ sensitive health care data; a Shield Law to protect patients who come here fleeing other states’ anti-choice, anti-trans laws; and to safeguard access to mifepristone. This session we built upon this critical work with measures to:
- Allow the use of a clinic’s name on medication labels instead of the prescribing provider to address the rise in violence and harassment against abortion providers (HB 2115).
- Harmonize language for reproductive health care and gender affirming care treatment to reduce confusion, uphold patient dignity and protect providers when they provide legal care in Washington to out of state travelers (HB 1954).
There is still much work to be done, especially in fighting to require insurance coverage of fertility treatments (HB 1151) and ensuring that when health care systems consolidate, they continue to provide treatment for reproductive and gender affirming health care (Keep Our Care Act, SB 5241).
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Expansion of Equity in Washington
It’s important that we recognize our history and let that influence how we create our future. This session the Legislature continued to focus on addressing the exclusionary and horrible wrongs perpetrated in years past. We passed legislation that strengthens our government-to-government relationship with the Tribes that long walked this land before the existence of our state. We expanded upon equal pay protections to include all protected classes and ensured that our LGBTQ+ youth will see themselves reflected in their K-12 curriculum and education. We passed the Nothing About Us Without Us Act, recognizing that we are at our best when the government reflects the people it serves, ensuring representation for marginalized communities in the decisions made about them. These achievements reflect how we are prioritizing equity throughout all our work.
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Election Year Communications Restrictions
There are certain restrictions on legislator communications to prevent the use of state resources for election purposes every election year. These restrictions include a freeze on my legislative Facebook account and my legislative webpage beginning Monday, May 6, 2024, until after the general election in November.
But I’m still here to help! Please reach out to my Legislative Assistant Sam Tinsley or email me if there’s anything I can do to assist you or your family. You’ll also be able to find loads of information and access to state & local resources on my website → housedemocrats.wa.gov/berry
This will be my last legislative email newsletter before the restrictions begin, so I hope you have a happy, healthy summer. See you around in the neighborhood!
Best wishes,
State Representative Liz Berry
36th Legislative District