Dear neighbors,
As the Legislative Session continues, I am working hard to push forward legislation impacting our district. Last time, I shared some of the work I was doing on behalf of military service members, veterans, and their family members. I also updated you on efforts to address homelessness and housing insecurity. Click here if you want to go back and read the previous update.
This week, I want to share some of the work being done on access and affordability of health care and efforts to improve our behavioral health care system.
Tuesdays for the 28th: My new video series
I’m starting a new video series called “Tuesdays for the 28th” – every other Tuesday, I will record a short video sharing one or two bills I am working on in specific areas. This week, I talk about a program to improve nutrition for families and children and legislation to improve how we budget for our developmental disabilities communities. Take a look and let me know what you think!
You can see all my videos on the Washington House Democrats channel by clicking here.
Going after criminals who create counterfeit or illicit drugs
Recently, I was alerted to the issue of illegal pill presses. Illegal pill presses are a serious problem because they can be used for nefarious purposes, targeting children and youth across Washington state for illicit drug use or creating supposedly alternative pills to medication without any guarantee they contain the appropriate medicine. Individuals with these illegal pill presses can be considered drug dealers when they mass produce pills that are spread beyond just individuals using them for their own purposes.
I introduced HB 2375 to help communities address this growing problem. Prosecutors are finding many drug dealers are making use of these illegal pill presses and want to be able to use possession of this contraband a Class C felony, as well as use it as evidence in trials. The bill classifies possession of these pill presses as illegal, unless they are licensed or permitted to possess or purchase one either at the state or federal level. It’s a critical health issue because sometimes these criminals create counterfeit medication that actually kills people.
Law-abiding citizens who press their own medications are not the target of this bill. I was happy to be able to testify in support of this bill in the Public Safety Committee last week.
Protecting and serving the children in our communities
News stories have detailed that an increasing number of our youth are using vapor products and other substances that are meant for adults. It’s a serious problem. My own children have told me about students using vapor products and other substances in schools. Families in our district, like mine, are wondering what else can be done to help keep kids away from products meant for people over the age of 21.
A new bill I sponsored this year, HB 2321, is about addressing youth access to these types of products. Advertising is a huge factor in attracting people, including children, to a product. My legislation bans or restricts certain types of advertising, such as vapor and marijuana products. It also increases the fine for violations of advertising requirements. Hopefully companies will realize the effect their advertisements have and more appropriately market to people who are old enough to make appropriate decisions, but I will fight to make sure rules are in place to hold companies accountable if they try to skirt the law.
I hope this update is helpful to informing you about the work I do on behalf of our district. Please share your thoughts about these bills or anything else you are hearing about in the Legislature this year. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as your representative in Olympia!
