Washington lawmakers weigh new artificial intelligence regulations
Lawmakers are considering four bills on regulating artificial intelligence in Olympia this session. State Rep. Clyde Shavers, D-Clinton, has introduced two bills that would require AI developers to provide ways for users to find out how their images are put together. Meanwhile, state senators Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, and Tina Wells, D-Des Moines, have sponsored similar bills addressing the use of AI in child porn that have been meshed into one piece of legislation. Rep. Cindy Ryu, D-Shoreline, submitted a bill that would forbid forged digital likenesses in certain situations. Continue reading at Cascade PBS. (Richard Drew)
Washington lawmakers consider expanding free food for students
Under current state law, public, charter and state-tribal education compact schools must provide free meals to any Kindergarten through fourth grade student if at least 40% of the school is eligible for free or reduced lunch under federal guidelines. Senate Bill 5352 would expand that benefit to all students, regardless of grade or school population, enabling any student to request a free breakfast or lunch. The state would also provide more reimbursement to public schools to offset the costs. Continue reading at KXLY. (KXLY)
WA Legislature weighs paying parents who care for children with disabilities
Under Washington law, anyone except a legal parent or guardian can get paid to provide personal care — bathing, dressing or managing medical needs — to a child under 18 years old. Parents are eligible for this pay only once their child becomes an adult. Legislation making its way through the Legislature this year is trying to change that. House Bill 1200 and Senate Bill 5211 would require the state’s Developmental Disabilities Administration to ask the federal government for permission to use Washington’s Medicaid funding to pay parents of minors with developmental disabilities. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Katie Scheid)
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WEST SEATTLE SNOW: School closures/changes for Wednesday, plus weather and traffic/transit info