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WSCC 2016 Catholic Advocacy Bulletin, No. 4
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The first major deadline of the 2016 Legislative is Friday, Feb. 5. Policy bills must pass out of their committee of origin by that date, or they will be considered "dead"-always with a belief in resurrection.
Remember, Catholic Advocacy Day is coming up on Monday, Feb. 8 - our opportunity to lobby our lawmakers in person with other Catholics from across the state.
On bills that WSCC supports, please take action on the bills that you are following by calling the Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000. Ask support of your Senator or Representatives depending on whether the Senate or the House is presently considering the bill. |
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Transgender Facilities
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On Jan. 27, the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee passed SB 6443. The bill would require the Human Rights Commission to repeal its recent rule allowing individuals the use of gender segregated facilities "consistent with their gender expression". WSCC supports SB 6443, which is in the Senate Rules Committee.
Another bill addressing gender-segregated facilities is SB 6548. On Feb. 1, the Senate Law & Justice Committee will hear SB 6548 that would allow public or private entities to limit the use of gender-segregated facilities. WSCC supports limiting access to gender segregated facilities. |
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Toxic Flame Retardants
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HB 2545 would prohibit a manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer from manufacturing, selling, or distributing for sale or for use in this state children's products or residential upholstered furniture containing any of five flame retardants. The House Health Care & Wellness Committee heard HB 2545 on Jan. 27. The Senate Health Care Committee heard an identical bill, SB 6440, on Jan. 28. WSCC supports HB 2545/SB 6440. |
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Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs)
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Most people convicted of a crime receive at sentencing a notice of their Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs). These obligations include victim restitution, crime victims' compensation fees, etc. Upon completion of their sentence, the court-imposed debt, plus the very high interest rate and sanctions, often presents a formidable barrier to persons integrating successfully back into their communities. HB 1390 would eliminate the interest on most of the debt and limit the sanctions. On Jan. 28, the Rules Committee voted to pass HB 1390 to the House Floor for a vote by all the Representatives. WSCC supports HB 1390. |
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WorkFirst
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Often poor families with children have no financial resources and depend on the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, called WorkFirst in Washington State. This program provides eligible adults assistance to find work. Under current law, a WorkFirst participant may receive vocational educational training that is not to exceed 12 months. HB 1875 would increase the amount of vocational training from 12 to 24 months, subject to the amount appropriated. The House passed this bill in 2015 by a vote of 90-6, but it did not pass the Senate. At the conclusion of the 2015 session, it was returned to the House. On Jan. 28, the Rules Committee voted to pass HB 1875 to the House Floor for a vote by all the Representatives. WSCC supports HB 1875. |
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Safe Surrender of Newborn Children
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SB 6586 would require the Dept. of Social & Health Services to collect and report information on the safe surrender of newborn children. An example of a safe surrender would be someone leaving a newborn baby at a fire station. The Senate Human Services and Mental Health & Housing Committee will hear SB 6586 on Feb. 4. WSCC supports SB 6586. |
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Parental Notification
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SB 5289 would require parental notification for a minor considering an abortion. WSCC supports SB 5289 which remains in the Senate Rules Committee. |
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Human Trafficking
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SB 6376, supported by WSCC, would recognize January 11 as Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Washington State. The bill passed the Senate Human Services and Mental Health & Housing Committee on Jan. 22 and was referred to the Senate Law & Justice Committee.
Two other bills regarding human trafficking are progressing in the Legislature. HB 1651 would adjust certain legal definitions concerning human trafficking. The House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee has schedule a vote for Feb. 1. SB 5880 would require people who work in certain businesses to complete a minimum of one hour of training in identifying and assisting human trafficking victims. The Senate Law & Justice Committee heard this bill on Jan. 28. |
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Breakfast After the Bell
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On Jan. 27, the House passed HB 1295 by a 69-28 vote. The bill, supported by WSCC, would require each high-needs school to offer breakfast after the bell to qualified students, and provide adequate time for students to eat. HB 1295 has been referred to the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee. The companion bill, SB 5437, is now in the Senate Rules Committee. |
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Homeless Students
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SB 6298 would seek to stabilize students who are homeless. On Jan. 28, the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee passed the bill and it is now in the Senate Ways & Means Committee. WSCC supports SB 6298. |
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Mental Health
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The House Early Learning & Human Services Committee passed HB 2439 out of committee on Jan. 29. This bill, supported by WSCC, would establish the Children's Mental Health Work Group to identify barriers to access of mental health services for children and families and provide for depression screening for children ages 11 to 21. |
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Voting Rights
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HB 1745 would promote equal voting opportunity in certain political subdivisions by authorizing district-based elections, requiring redistricting and new elections in certain circumstances. The bill is in the House Rules Committee. WSCC supports HB 1745. |
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Two-Thirds Majority for Raising Taxes
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On Thursday, Jan. 21, King County Superior Court Judge William Downing ruled I-1366 to be unconstitutional. Passed by voters in November, I-1366 would decrease the sales tax rate unless the legislature sends voters a constitutional amendment requiring two-thirds legislative approval or voter approval to raise taxes. An appeal to the State Supreme Court is expected.
The Senate Government Operations & Security Committee heard three Senate Joint Resolutions (SJR 8208, 8209, and 8211) on Thursday, Jan. 21, requiring a two-thirds vote of the legislature to raise taxes. No vote has been scheduled on any of these bills, but another bill on the same subject, SJR 8212, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Operations & Security on Feb. 4. WSCC opposes requiring a two-thirds majority to raise taxes.
Click here to view WSCC bulletins on our website.
The Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic Bishops of Washington State. |
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Charter Schools
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SB 6194 would address the Washington Supreme Court's concerns by designating charter schools as schools which are not common schools. After passing the full Senate, the bill has been assigned to the House Education Committee. WSCC is monitoring this bill. |
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