Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We are now well into Week 4 of the legislative session. Our committees are busy hearing hundreds of bills and I’ve been meeting with constituents.
Last week, I was honored to be joined by Nevada Assembly Member Jovan Jackson, another formerly incarcerated legislator. I got to show him how we do things in Washington, and he even testified in a public hearing for one of my bills. Watch this video to learn more about his visit and unique experience.
Bill Highlight: Expanding Parent Volunteer Opportunities in Schools
Both Jovan and I testified in support of HB 1189. My bill would make it easier for parents who have criminal records, like me and Jovan, to participate in their children’s education.
Right now, some school districts in Washington allow parents who have a criminal record to volunteer in schools under certain circumstances while other districts do not, ever. That means there are parents and family members out there, ready and available to bring cupcakes to class for student birthdays, chaperone field trips, monitor cross walks and support teachers and staff but they are not allowed because of their record. Any schoolteacher or administrator will tell you how much of a difference it makes in a child’s life when they have a family member who is actively engaged their learning and education. A conviction should not stand in the way of that. HB 1189 would provide statewide standards, consistency and transparency for school districts that would open up pathways to allow more parents to support their kids.
Read more about the bill here. And follow the bill’s progress here.
Meet Vera Cromrich – A Page in My Office!
Last week, I had the pleasure of sponsoring Vera Cromrich, a bright and dedicated high school student from Bainbridge Island, as a legislative page in the House! Vera spent the week learning the ins and outs of the legislative process, assisting with floor operations, and gaining firsthand experience in how laws are made. It’s always inspiring to see young people engage in civic life, and Vera’s enthusiasm, hard work, and curiosity give me hope for the future.
Thank you, Vera, for your service this session—I can’t wait to see where your leadership takes you next!
Protecting Vulnerable Communities
I know recent federal actions have generated fear, uncertainty, and stress particularly for the most vulnerable communities in our state. We’ve seen attacks on DEI initiatives and the LGBTQ community, actions that could negatively impact our state’s economy and your wallets, and alarmingly, the ramp up of deportations and anti-immigrant policies.
These efforts strike at the very core of our values as House Democrats. As a member of the Latino Democratic Caucus, a formerly incarcerated individual and a mother, I want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to protect Washington residents.
Already in Washington we:
✔️ Banned private for-profit detention centers
✔️ Expanded healthcare access for undocumented adults
✔️ Protected immigrant workers from local enforcement overreach through the Keep Washington Working Act
✔️ Opened professional licensing to all, regardless of status
✔️ Funded dual-language & tribal language education programs
✔️ Invested in civil legal aid for undocumented workers
✔️ Bridged the digital divide with the Digital Equity Act
✔️ Prohibited health insurers from banning gender affirming care
✔️ Protected health providers from being disciplined for providing legal gender affirming care.
In Washington, your safety and dignity matter. Local law enforcement is not immigration enforcement, and we will not allow fear to define our state or dictate how we treat each other. Instead, we continue to push forward and lead.
During this session, we’re doing even more to protect our state. Governor Ferguson recently signed an executive order creating a rapid response team to support children facing family separation. This critical step reinforces our state’s commitment to keeping families together and protecting vulnerable children.
But the fight doesn’t stop there. In response to the growing fears in our communities, the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs has launched a rapid response hub to support undocumented immigrants. It is filled with essential legal, financial, and social service information to help families navigate these challenging times.
The Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (ORIA) at DSHS provides vital services, including:
✅ Immigration & naturalization assistance
✅ Employment & job training programs
✅ Healthcare & legal aid resources
📌 Know someone impacted by immigration policy changes? Share this DSHS resource link to help them access critical information.
📌 The Washington State LGBTQ Commission tracks relevant legislative actions and keeps a list of resources categorized by county. You can find that list here.
Access to gender affirming care is protected in Washington under the Gender Affirming Care Treatment Act. This law prohibits health insurers from banning gender affirming care and ensures our trans neighbors can access the medically necessary care that they need.
Further, the Legislature passed the Shield Law, protecting people in Washington from civil and criminal actions in other states that restrict or criminalize reproductive and gender-affirming care. Another law ensures health providers can’t be disciplined for providing legal reproductive health services or gender affirming care in Washington.
We will not stand by while families are forced to make impossible choices between safety and survival. Every child deserves to feel safe, loved, and supported in their own home. Learn more about how House Democrats are standing up for immigrant communities in a recent statement from the Latino Democratic Caucus and Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma).
Speaker Jinkins and Senate Majority Leader Jaime Pedersen also shared a statement committing to protecting trans youth in Washington. You can read that statement here.
I believe in a community where everyone belongs. Together, we will stand up for our values of love, inclusion, and justice. You are not alone in this fight.
I look forward to updating you on our progress in my next legislative update.
Sincerely,
Rep. Tarra Simmons