Dear Friends and Neighbors,
In just the couple of weeks since the new presidential administration has taken office, we’ve seen anti-immigrant policies in addition to attacks on DEI initiatives and the LGBTQ community. These efforts strike at the core values of House Democrats and negatively impact our state’s economy and your wallets. I want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to protect Washington residents.
The diversity of the 37th district is a beautiful thing. I stand with the many communities in the 37th and across Washington that feel scared, overwhelmed, and uncertain due to the recent actions of the federal government. Washington has a proud history of standing up for what is right. We will not back down from defending the dignity of our neighbors.
As a member of the Democratic Caucus leadership team, we’re coordinating new legislation needed to protect Washingtonians with the Office of the Attorney General. This builds on the critical protections Democrats have already codified into state law to protect and uplift immigrant communities, ensuring Washington remains a place of opportunity for all. In Washington we have already:
✔️ 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
New laws and lawsuits take time to play out. For immediate help, 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 also provides vital info on immigration policies and practices as well as healthcare & legal aid resources.
We will fight to ensure that no family lives in fear of being torn apart or targeted because of who they are. We are committed to justice, fairness, and keeping families together.
Fighting for LGTBQ+ Rights
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.
📌 The Washington State LGBTQ Commission tracks relevant legislative actions and keeps a list of resources categorized by county. You can find that list here.
My friends and neighbors, you are seen and valued. This is our home, and I will fight with you to ensure that you can live with peace and dignity. I will stand by your side to protect what matters most—your family and your future.
My New Bills
The Legislative session is in full swing now as we enter Week 5. I’ve been meeting with constituents, our committees are hearing hundreds of different bills, and I just introduced a couple of my own bills.
HB 1512 will improve traffic safety by encouraging law enforcement to respond to dangerous driving behaviors like distracted driving and speeding, rather than mundane traffic stops which include pulling people over for simple car maintenance issues like a broken taillight or nonmoving violations like expired tabs.
HB 1550 will create an EV battery recycling program similar to the program I helped create in 2023 for regular batteries. Not only will this help protect our environment from old or improperly maintained EV batteries, but it will ensure that the valuable resources in those batteries are not wasted.
I look forward to updating you on how those bills progress.
In Solidarity,
Rep. Chipalo Street