 Archbishop Paul Etienne and Sen. Judy Warnick |
Legislative Priorities for Week 13
April 16 is the last day legislators may consider bills from the opposite chamber (except initiatives and alternatives to initiatives, matters necessary to implement budgets, matters that affect state revenue, amendments, differences, and business related to the interim or closing the session). Your advocacy on the following bills is greatly appreciated:
SB 5023 Providing labor market protections for domestic workers is in House rules as of April 10. The bill promotes the dignity of work to help ensure house cleaners, nannies, and other workers typically hired by individuals and working alone in homes are protected against exploitation and abuse. Please contact your representatives and ask them to support moving SB 5023 to the floor for a vote before the April 16 deadline.
SB 5181 Amending the parents' rights initiative to bring it into alignment with existing law passed the Senate and has been moved from House rules for floor debate at any time. The bill gives schools powers over student medical situations above and beyond the rights of parents. The stated reason for doing so is to protect kids whose parents may not be supportive of the child's decisions. There is a long history of the ill effects that occur when government decides it knows best how to raise children already in loving homes. Please contact your representatives and respectfully ask them to uphold the will of voters and reject changes to the initiative that curtail parents' rights.
SB 5375 is expected to receive a final vote in the House Friday, April 11. If you are reading this on or before April 11, please contact your representatives and urge them to vote no on this bill unless it is amended to provide a narrow exception for confidential communications between a member of the clergy and a penitent person of faith. The majority of states that include clergy as mandatory reporters include an exemption for confidential communications, demonstrating that the states' interests in child protection can be achieved without violating the right to free exercise of religion.
SB 5557 Codifying emergency rules to protect the right of a pregnant person to access treatment for emergency medical conditions in hospital emergency departments. This bill could be voted on anytime before April 16. Please contact your representatives to encourage them to vote no on expanding abortion by eliminating the ability of a hospital to protect the life of the unborn child in an emergency situation where the mother may not be capable of giving or denying consent.
SB 5680 Establishing a right to repair for mobility equipment for persons with physical disabilities is also likely to be voted on before the end of the day on April 11. This bill passed out of the Senate unanimously and would make it far easier for wheelchair users to fix their chairs in a timely and safe manner by requiring manufacturers to provide access to repair materials. The bill promotes the dignity of life by ensuring that someone who relies on a wheelchair for all facets of their daily life is not left stranded for months because the manufacturer won’t let them fix their own chair. The bill was heard in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee but has not been scheduled for a committee vote. Please urge your representatives to vote in support.
UPDATES
HB 1483 Supporting the servicing and right to repair of certain products with digital electronics in a secure and reliable manner to increase access and affordability for Washingtonians passed the House and Senate. This bill makes it easier for us to fix our stuff, by requiring manufacturers to provide access to parts, tools, and information. This will allow us to keep our devices in use for longer, reducing waste and helping to bridge the digital divide by making secondhand, refurbished technology more accessible.
ICYMI
For a full list of the bills we are following this session and our position, please click here.
