The House Community Safety, Justice & Reentry Committee passed an amended version of SB 5536, a bill ensuring access to pre-trial diversion, funding treatment and recovery services, and creating a…
Category: Press Releases
House passes Simmons bill to reform Legal Financial Obligations
OLYMPIA – A bill to reform Washington’s Legal Financial Obligation (LFOs) system passed the Washington House of Representatives Tuesday evening with a vote of 56-41. Sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons…
LEGISLATIVE NEWS: Washington Legislators form First Latino Democratic Caucus / Legisladores de Washington forman el Primer Caucus Demócrata Latino
Vea más abajo para la versión en español OLYMPIA—Eight House and three Senate Democrats in the Washington State Legislature announced the creation of the first ever Latino caucus. “I am…
Bill to pay incarcerated workers minimum wage passes House Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry Committee
Olympia- The Real Labor, Real Wages Act, which would mandate that incarcerated workers are paid state minimum wage, cleared its first legislative hurdle today when it was voted out of…
Simmons introduces bill to improve voting in jails
OLYMPIA – Innocent until proven guilty. That is the basis of the American criminal legal system. The majority of people incarcerated in county jails have not yet been convicted of…
Simmons introduces the Real Labor, Real Wages Act to end ‘slavery loophole’ in Washington State
OLYMPIA – Today, Rep. Tarra Simmons (D-Bremerton) introduced the Real Labor, Real Wages Act to require that incarcerated workers in Washington prisons be paid minimum wage. Currently, people incarcerated in…
House Passes Simmons Bill to Provide Relief from Legal Financial Obligations for Low-Income People
OLYMPIA – Legislation to allow judges to waive legal financial obligations for those unable to pay them passed the Washington House of Representatives today with a vote of 70-24. Legal…
House gives bipartisan OK to legislation standardizing charity hospital billing practices throughout the state
Lawmakers in Olympia are considering legislation to level the playing field for hospital patients throughout the state. SIMMONS: “Two point two million Washingtonians, the constituents, the people that we are…
Simmons Named 2021 Legislator of the Year by the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Washington
OLYMPIA – Rep. Tarra Simmons (D-East Bremerton) was named the 2021 Legislator of the Year by the Washington chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Each year NAMI…
Simmons Named a 2021 Behavioral Health Champion by the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Washington
OLYMPIA – Rep. Tarra Simmons (D-East Bremerton) was named a 2021 Behavioral Health Champion by the Washington branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Each year NAMI Washington…