Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This Saturday, February 20, I am hosting a virtual town hall with my 28th Legislative District seatmates, Rep. Mari Leavitt and Sen. T’wina Nobles. I hope you can join us to hear an update on the legislative session, and so we can hear your questions, thoughts, concerns and hopes for this session and our state government.
Hearing directly from you is the best way to ensure we are best serving the needs of our community. I hope you’ll join us.
Click here or on the image below to RSVP. The event will stream live on Facebook (you do not need a Facebook account to watch) and on YouTube and Twitter @WaHouseDems.
Step one for Washington’s community and economic recovery
In my latest video update, I shared my thoughts on early action we have taken in the legislature this session to provide economic relief to Washington’s workers and businesses that have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. I also shared an update on work we are doing in the Labor & Workplace Standards committee, including sending a bill to the Governor’s desk to help keep small business afloat. Click here or on the image below to watch.
Substance use disorder apprenticeships passes the House
In my last e-newsletter, I provided an update on legislation I introduced to help grow our substance use disorder workforce—HB 1311. Building up that workforce is more critical now than ever before in the opioid epidemic as public health requirements for social distancing and the feeling of isolation and disconnection from work, friends and family have led to an increase in substance use. I’m proud to share that the bill passed the House with a broad, bipartisan vote of 85-11. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Strengthening trust between communities and law enforcement
So far this session, we have passed two bills related to transparency in law enforcement. Strong bonds of trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve is of vital importance to public safety, and that’s the lens through which I am considering legislation related to police and our community.
The first, HB 1088, improves state law on police officer impeachment disclosures, creates best practices and online training on that subject, and requires that law enforcement agencies must inquire about past impeachment disclosures before hiring an officer. An impeachment disclosure is an official determination that an officer engaged in misconduct affecting his or her credibility as a witness. Prosecutors are required to provide this information and any other exculpatory evidence to the defense before a trial.
We also passed HB 1089, which would authorize the State Auditor to review a deadly force investigation to determine whether the involved law enforcement agencies complied with all applicable rules and procedures. Additionally, upon request of the Criminal Justice Training Commission, the State Auditor would provide review of a law enforcement agency to ensure compliance with all applicable rules and procedures governing the training and certification of the agency’s officers.
I voted for both bills, and each passed with bipartisan support.
We are also considering legislation to establish a program to collect, report, and publish information on law enforcement’s use of force and other incidents involving the public. That bill could soon receive a vote by the full House.
Special health care enrollment period
The Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) opened a special enrollment period on Feb. 15 for Washingtonians. This aligns with President Biden’s executive order to re-open the federal health insurance marketplace, giving additional time to Americans still seeking health coverage during the pandemic.
The special enrollment will run for 90 days, ending May 15, 2021. During this time those currently uninsured, seeking coverage, or enrolled in off-Exchange health insurance (such as health sharing ministries, short-term limited duration plans or COBRA) can enroll. Current Exchange enrollees will not be eligible for this special enrollment. Visit the Washington Healthplanfinder here for more information.
Thanks for taking the time to read this update,
