Dear friends and neighbors, We’re one third of the way through this year’s legislative session, so here’s an update on what’s happening in the state House. Right now, most of our work is focused on committee hearings, the first stop for almost every bill. Hearings give legislators a chance to ask questions and propose amendments, but what’s most important in a hearing is for us to listen to your testimony! Your thoughts on the bills we are considering give us insight and help us see the policy from different angles. Once a bill is voted on and passed by a committee, it either heads to the Rules Committee to then be assigned to the floor for a vote or, if it has a fiscal note, it will go to one of the fiscal committees (Appropriations, Finance, Capital Budget or Transportation) first. To organize our time, we set deadlines for bills to pass out of committee. For policy committees, that deadline is this coming Friday, February 21st. Fiscal committees get one extra week to hear bills.

WHERE ARE MY BILLS?

HB 1232 – Private Detention Facilities

The state has the right and responsibility to protect the general safety, health, and welfare of its residents. We have been working on regulating private detention facilities for years and, while we have made important strides, we continue getting reports of mistreatment, abuse and neglect. Currently, detainees in private detention facilities are being held for extended periods without a conviction or a fair trial, and they are experiencing violations of their fundamental rights. Whether a detention facility is public or private, it should be required to maintain basic humane standards for things like food, ventilation, medical care, and safeguarding against abuse. My legislation is about accountability, it clarifies operational standards for any private detention facility in the state, including inspections by state agencies, and brings those standards into alignment with existing Department of Health rules. My bill was heard by the Community Safety Committee on February 4, click here to watch my testimony, as well as that of three young women whose family members have experienced abuse while detained (includes subtitles in Spanish). HB 1232 was passed by the Community Safety Committee on February 11 and is scheduled for a hearing in the Appropriations Committee on February 19.

HB 1651 – Teacher Residency and Apprenticeship Programs My legislation describes the requirements teacher residency and teacher apprenticeship programs must meet. It directs the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to establish a process to approve teacher residency programs. These programs integrate a year of collaborative hands-on classroom teaching with an experienced mentor to develop effective, community-focused teachers. This collaborative model must be offered by a public elementary or secondary school as a PESB approved teacher preparation program. My bill was heard on February 3 and could be voted on by the Education Committee today or Thursday!

HB 1660 – Reporting Information related to Racial Disproportionality in Child Welfare

When the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) receives a report of child abuse or neglect that meets the minimum requirements, the report will be investigated by Child Protective Services or receive a Family Assessment Response. In this reporting process, my legislation requires DCYF to submit a biennial report to the governor and the Legislature providing data regarding racial disproportionality in child welfare and recommendations to address that disproportionality. This information will help ensure transparency and accountability, allowing lawmakers to make informed decisions that ensure the child welfare system serves all children fairly, regardless of race or ethnicity.  My bill was heard in the Early Learning & Human Services Committee on February 12 and could be voted on by the committee this week.

HB 1682 – Part-time workers in the Unemployment Insurance System

Washington workers who lose a job and apply for unemployment benefits face a dilemma if they work part-time. Under current law, they are required to seek full-time work. If they don’t, they can be denied benefits or forced to repay benefits they have received. My legislation establishes that unemployed part-time workers are not obligated to look for a fulltime job. Employees who customarily work part-time should not be required to be available for full-time work while claiming unemployment benefits. My bill was heard in the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee on February 11 and is scheduled for executive session on February 18.

HB 1747 – Expanding protections for applicants and employees under the Washington Fair Chance Act. One in five adults in our state—disproportionately people of color—have a conviction or arrest record that can show up on a routine background check for employment. Our economy depends on ensuring we have the workers to fill our immense workforce shortages. My legislation clarifies that a conviction record cannot be the sole reason to deny an applicant a job. It will standardize the background check process to create consistency and expand opportunities. This legislation gets us closer to meeting the goal of the original fair chance act: that millions of Washington workers are evaluated by their qualifications and work experience so they can fairly compete for job opportunities for which they are qualified. My bill was heard in the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee on February 11 and could be voted on by the committee on February 19 or 21.

KEEP WASHINGTON WORKING ACT

On February 13, I released the following statement on Governor Ferguson’s remarks about the Keep Washington Working Act during his press conference earlier that day:

        “I commend Governor Ferguson for his commitment to defending the civil rights of all Washingtonians. His remarks today are a clear reaffirmation of the values that make Washington a place of inclusion and fairness, and the very reason I introduced and voted to pass the Keep Washington Working Act. Governor Ferguson, I will continue to work alongside you to ensure Washington remains a beacon of protection for all who live here.”

Here is an excerpt of the governor’s press conference (click on the image to watch):

To read my statement in Spanish, please go to this entry on my website / Para leer mi declaración en español, por favor vaya a esta entrada en mi sitio web.

VIDEO UPDATE

I take the opportunity in this video update to send a message of solidarity and assurance to all Washingtonians who may be feeling unsafe due to the actions taken by the federal government. As you saw in the previous section, the Keep Washington Working Act includes protections for vulnerable communities. But we’re not stopping there, supporting all the residents of this state also means passing a balanced budget that won’t leave anyone behind. Click here or on the image below to watch it.

Thank you for reading my newsletter.  If you need more information on any of the issues discussed here, or on any other legislative matter, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,