10 bills the 2020 Legislature approved that could affect you
Friday was the deadline for the House to consider Senate bills, and vice versa (except for bills needed to approve the budget and a few other categories). Here are 10 bills that could affect your life or your community that lawmakers approved Friday. They’re close to the finishing line, which is Gov. Jay Inslee signing them into law. The 60-day legislative session ends March 12. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Ted S. Warren)
Sex ed bill sent to Governor after moving speech by Sen. Mona Das
A controversial bill to require Washington’s 295 school districts to teach comprehensive sexual health education in grades K-12 is on its way to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature. By a 27-21 vote on Saturday, the state Senate agreed with House amendments to SB 5395. The roll call followed a moving floor speech by Sen. Mona Das, D-Kent. The bill would be phased in over two years, with the mandate to teach all students in grades six through 12 beginning with the 2021-2022 school year and to all students a year later. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Ted S. Warren)
Bill boosting accountability for facial recognition technology passes the House
Agencies using facial recognition technology would be required to test it for accuracy and bias to make sure it’s accountable, under a bill that passed Friday in the House. The bill will provide moral guardrails on the use of facial recognition software, said Rep. Debra Entenman, D-Kent. The technology needs to improve and be held to higher standards. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review.
Associated Press
Senate OKs bill exempting menstrual products from sales tax
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A third state moves to cap insulin prices. This one at $50 — the lowest in the US
Stock trading briefly halted after plunge over coronavirus fears. What does it mean?
Nursing homes face unique challenge with coronavirus
Washington virus deaths hit 18 with 2 more from nursing home
Gates Foundation to help with coronavirus testing in Seattle
Washington virus deaths hit 16; 1/3 of Life Care staff sick
Homeless at ‘double risk’ of getting, spreading coronavirus
AP FACT CHECK: Trump’s rosy take on govt’s handling of virus
Yakima Basin water forecast predicts 100% supply for farmers
‘Germ-fest’ party preceded deadly outbreak in Kirkland
Thousands prepare to get off ship hit by virus in California
Ethiopia jet crash report likely to blame Boeing and pilots
Report from Ethiopia expected this week in Boeing Max crash
She thought had health insurance, but was left owing $40,000
Nursing home showed few signs it prepared for virus outbreak
Idaho faces another lawsuit over lethal injection secrecy
Pence walks fine line on coronavirus response
21 positive for coronavirus on cruise ship off California
FAA seeks $19.7 million penalty against Boeing over sensors
Oregon Legislature crashes over climate, leaving acrimony
Washington virus deaths hit 18 with 2 more from nursing home
Gates Foundation to help with coronavirus testing in Seattle
Senate OKs bill exempting menstrual products from sales tax
Pence walks fine line on coronavirus response
Washington state bans ‘gay panic’ defense of homicide
UW to teach classes online due to virus concerns
California prepares to dock cruise ship with 21 virus cases
Aberdeen Daily World
The important test is how you’re feeling
Senate passes bill to align timber industry with state carbon goals (Van De Wege, Tharinger, Takko, Chapman)
Most guns banned from child care centers
Child care benefit legislation headed to Gov. Inslee’s desk for approval (Wilson)
Auburn Reporter
House passes Wilson bill to improve timetable for childcare subsidies (Wilson)
Senate passes bill to legalize sports gambling in Washington (Saldaña)
Kent Mayor Ralph stands up to King County over coronavirus facility
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Statewide coronavirus deaths grow to 18
Washington state coronavirus deaths rise to 18; cases increase to 136, including 4 in Pierce County
Here’s how many Whatcom County jobs offer annual salaries of $100,000 or more
Whatcom County health reports Sunday 16 residents are being tested for coronavirus
Bellingham City Council begins discussion of single-use plastic ban
Whatcom senior groups detail what they’re doing to prevent coronavirus transmission
Coronavirus risk prompts CBP, CDC to deny travelers at border in Whatcom County
Bellingham hospital limits visitors to ‘essential support’ due to coronavirus spread
Washington governor says ‘mandatory measures’ may be needed to fight coronavirus
6 Washington counties have now reported coronavirus cases; statewide deaths up to 16
10 bills the 2020 Legislature approved that could affect you
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Columbian
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Kent Reporter
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Islands’ Weekly
Stewardship plate on track with sales
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Life Care Center of Kirkland breaks silence at Saturday press conference
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Eastside cities seeing widespread event, meeting cancellations
Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
First ‘presumptive positive’ coronavirus case reported in Kitsap County
Kitsap County sees seven negative coronavirus tests while 14 await results
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Military defendants will be sent to other states while new prison at JBLM is built
Sewage spill spurs no-contact advisory for Chico Creek, bay
News Tribune (subscription required)
Sex ed bill sent to Governor after moving speech by Sen. Mona Das (Dhingra, Das)
New York Times
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Olympian (subscription required)
Providence cancels public meetings at St. Peter, Centralia hospitals; asks visitors to limit visits
Washington state coronavirus deaths rise to 18; cases increase to 136, including 4 in Pierce County
6 Washington counties have now reported coronavirus cases; statewide deaths up to 16
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Redmond Reporter
Eastside cities seeing widespread event, meeting cancellations
Seattle Times (subscription required)
More residents, employees of Kirkland nursing home hospitalized with coronavirus symptoms
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Bill requiring comprehensive sex ed in schools passes state Senate, awaits governor’s signature (Dhingra, Das)
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Seattle Weekly
‘If anyone’s questions should be answered, it’s ours’: Life Care families demand answers
Skagit Valley Herald
PeaceHealth limiting visitor access during coronavirus outbreak
Larsen talks about virus with county staff
Snoqualmie Valley Record
Life Care Center of Kirkland breaks silence at Saturday press conference
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Spokesman Review
Comprehensive sex education bill passes, goes to governor for signature (Wilson)
Bill to remove sales tax on menstrual products passes Senate (Cleveland)
Bill boosting accountability for facial recognition technology passes the House (Entenman)
Senate approves sports gambling at tribal casinos (Billig, Keiser)
Report showing disproportionate traffic stops by Washington State Patrol prompts renewed call for study (Valdez)
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Spokane-area hospitals prepare for COVID-19’s arrival
University of Washington moves classes online over virus fears; EWU moves finals online, up
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Opinion: Glen Nenema and Carol Evans: Sports betting in Washington state should be carefully limited and regulated
The Suburban Times
Senate passes nation’s first statewide Office of Equity (Gregerson, Morgan, Dhingra, Saldaña)
USA Today
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Midwest farmers face a crisis. Hundreds are dying by suicide.
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Health Care district gets staff member, looks for permanent superintendent (Cody)
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
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Washington Post
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Broadcast
KATU
Bill requiring comprehensive sex ed starting in kindergarten passes Wash. House and Senate (Wilson)
KING5 TV (NBC)
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KOMO4 TV (ABC)
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Gov. Inslee considers ‘stronger measures’ to stop spread of coronavirus
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KNKX FM
More colleges move to remote instruction as COVID-19 cases climb to 136 statewide
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UW shifts to online classes to protect students and staff from the novel coronavirus
KUOW FM
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Senate OKs bill exempting menstrual products from sales tax
Web
Crosscut
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MyNorthwest.com
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Controversial sex ed bill passed by Washington state lawmakers (Wilson)
Seattle P.I.
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Slog
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Suburban Times
Senate passes nation’s first statewide Office of Equity (Gregerson, Morgan, Dhingra, Saldaña)
Washington State Wire
AARP applauds passage of bills aimed at lowering the cost of prescription drugs (Keiser)
Western Front
Legislature addresses high cost of insulin (Keiser)