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CAAA Legislative Update: Week 1
The 2025 legislative session convened Monday, January 13th and scheduled to last 105 days. During this time, new legislation will be passed in addition to the state's capital, operating and transportation budgets being written.
CAAA advocates for the African American community. During legislative sessions, we provide you a weekly update of the legislation we track - providing bill information and an analysis of how our community could be affected if these actions were to be enacted.
We encourage you to take action also. There is power in numbers! Find information on our website or at this link about the legislative process. Share your opinion with your representative by sending email or commenting on a bill by using the links or calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000
Find information on our website or at this link about the legislative process. Wish to share your opinion with your representative? Send an email or comment using the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000.
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Bill #
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Sponsor
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Bill Title
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Committee
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Hearing Date
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Bill Status
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HB 1028
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Goodman
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Child exposure to violence
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House Early Learning & Human Svcs. committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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In Committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Updates 20 year-old update definitions and guidance to
ensure support for the work of children's advocacy centers in child abuse cases
Potential impact on the community: Establishes statewide and regional peer review of child interviews as a means of quality assurance
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HB 1052
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Ryu
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Hate Crime Offences
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H Community Safety committee
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Heard 1/13
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Needs a vote out of committee. Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion to Senate Bill 5038
What this bill does: Modifies the conduct that constitutes a Hate Crime offense to include
when a person commits a specified act in whole or in part because of the
person's perception of another person's certain characteristics
Potential impact to the community: Strengthens Hate Crime laws in combatting racism against people of color
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HB 1053
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Low
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Juvenile access to attorney
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H Civil R & Judiciary committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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Needs a hearing.
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: provides a juvenile (child under 18 years of age) with access to an attorney for consultation, which may be provided in person, by telephone, or by videoconference, before the juvenile waives any constitutional rights if the juvenile is being questioned during a custodial interrogation, is being detained for probable cause, if the juvenile is being asked for consent to search with exceptions
Potential impact to the community: Clarifies rules regarding access to legal counsel for youth of color
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HB 1056
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Farivar
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Law Enforcement Misconduct
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House Civil Rights & Judiciary committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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Needs a hearing
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion to Senate Bill 5066
What this bill does: Strengthens and clarifies the authority of the attorney general to address local law enforcement and local corrections agency misconduct through investigations and legal actions
Potential impact to the community: Improve officer and agency accountability with respect to policing, detention, and incarceration practices. Includes authorization for the attorney general's office to investigate and, if necessary, bring suit against law enforcement agencies and local corrections agencies to compel needed reforms where there are violations of constitutional and civil rights
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HB 1089
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Barkis
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Eviction Reform
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House Housing Committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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In Committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Provides specific instructions on the legal documents/action for proper execution of eviction notices and court proceedings.
Potential impact to the community: Provides clarity and easy to understand information on eviction documents, including how to respond to an eviction summons and legal resource information for the Eviction Defense Screening Line and CLEAR.
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HB 1110
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Ortiz-Self
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DUI Conviction
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House Community Safety Committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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In Committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Adds exceptions and additional considerations related to the vacating of a DUI conviction
Potential affect on community: Needs further examination/comparison to current statute
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HB 1136
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Leavitt
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Student navigational support
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House Postsecondary Education & Workforce
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Public hearing scheduled Friday, January 17 at 8 AM
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In committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) Outreach and Completion Initiative Pilot Program is repealed and a new program is established. Subject to appropriation, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) must administer a Financial Aid Completion and Postsecondary
Enrollment Program (Program) for every Educational Service District (ESD). Outreach specialists created in this bill will assist students with financial aid applications and help accessing private scholarships.
Potential affect on community: Rates of completion for FAFSA and WASFA have not met expectations. Families either believe they are not qualified or have questions about the process. Targeted outreach and completion assistance can help students of color access the funds needed to enter and complete postsecondary education, especially private scholarships that often fund for multiple years and can be utilized for expenses other than tuition.
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HB 1179
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Volz
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Property Tax Value Freeze
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Housing Finance Committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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In Committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Property tax valuation freeze for senior citizens and disabled veterans
Potential affect on community: Adds language that maintains property tax exemption eligibility despite cost-of-living social security benefit and SSI adjustments for people of color; establishes guidelines for requalification.
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Addresses parental involvement through volunteering in schools after a criminal conviction. For a parent with one or more criminal convictions who has submitted a criminal innocence or rehabilitation-related document addressing each conviction, the school may not deny the parent's volunteer application based on a criminal conviction if the parent signed a statement indicating that the parent has not been convicted of any crime since the date that the criminal innocence or rehabilitation-related document was issued
Potential affect on community: Supports parents who want to volunteer at their child's school. Helps schools attract volunteers. Schools will still perform a criminal records check.
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Updates the name, authority, membership, and duties of the governor's interagency coordinating council on health disparities;
Potential affect on community: CAAA is a member of the Council and has worked to promote health outcomes beneficial to the African American Community. Bill adds youth representatives with health inequity lived experiences, adds the affects of climate change as a factor that exacerbates inequities and recognizes racism as a public health crisis
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Companion bill? Senate Bill 5232
What this bill does: Updates eligible uses for the Essential Needs and Housing Support program. At the discretion of the Dept. of Commerce, low or extremely low income elderly or disabled adults who are transitioning off benefits under RCW 74.04.805, receiving federal social security disability benefits, and still have an immediate housing need. A referral from DSHS is not required for these individuals. Direct cash assistance is allowable.
Potential affect on community: Housing stability for vulnerable populations of color
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HB 1272
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Callan
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Children in Crisis program
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House Early Learning & Human Svcs. committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Reauthorizes the Children and Youth Multisystem Care Coordinator - RCW. 43.06.535. Current position set to expire June 2025
Potential affect on community: Protections and resources for children of color in crisis
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Improves student access to dual credit programs including career and technical education dual credit programs
Potential affect on community: Improves student outcomes and access to higher education for students of color
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HB 1274
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Stearns
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Juvenile convictions / score
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House Community Safety committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Retroactively applying the requirement to exclude certain juvenile convictions from an offender score regardless of the date of the offense
Potential affect on community: Past legislation assigned "juvenile points" to lengthen state prison sentences. The legislature finds that black, indigenous, and people of color are disproportionately impacted by prior juvenile felony adjudications.
This bill finds any person sentenced for an offense committed prior to July 17, 2023, whose offender score was increased due to any juvenile adjudications that are not scorable and entitled to a resentencing hearing upon petition for relief to the court. Establishes guidelines for those currently incarcerated under the previous requirement
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HB 1285
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Rude
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Financial education
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House Education committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Makes financial education instruction a graduation requirement in public schools
Potential affect on community: Knowledge of personal finance is critical to the economic well-being of students of color to navigate the complicated financial issues of modern life, including household budgets, consumer debt, loan applications and obligations, and successful retirement planning.
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HB 1295
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Pollet
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Reading and writing literacy
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House Education committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Using evidence-based instructional practices in reading and writing literacy for public elementary students. Recent research shows African American and Hispanic children less likely to be identified as dyslexic through school screening programs. Requires preservice and in-service elementary educators be trained to teach students to read and write using evidence-based instructional practices in early learning that is culturally relevant, high quality and rich in knowledge
Potential affect on community: Improved learning outcomes for students of color
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HB 1296
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Stonier
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Public education system
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House Education committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Promoting a safe and supportive public education system through student rights, parental and guardian rights, employee protections, and requirements for state and local education entities
Potential affect on community: Each school district must adopt or amend if necessary policies and procedures that incorporate the office of the superintendent of public instruction's rules and guidelines to eliminate discrimination in public schools on the basis of gender expression and gender identity; address the unique challenges and needs faced by transgender students and gender-expansive students in public schools
Policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation, and bullying of transgender students and gender-expansive students must be shared with parents, guardians, students, volunteers, and school employees
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Companion bill? Senate Bill 5231
What this bill does: Reduces fees and expenses for services for people confined in state facilities
Potential affect on community: Department of Corrections is directed to provide tablets to all persons in custody at no cost for the purpose of voice communication/communication service. DOC will not receive revenue, commission or fee from this provision. These services will not supplant in-person contact visits for eligible persons, For DCYF, tablets will be provided without cost. The contract for telecommunication services will be posted on the DOC website as well as fees for money transfers and rates for services. African American incarceration is disproportionate when considering population AA statewide
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HB 1307
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Caldier
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Child care product sales tax
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House Finance committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Eases the financial burden on families by removing sales and use tax on diapers and essential child care products
Potential affect on community: Financial hardship disproportionately impacts families with infants and young children, especially in communities of color, with data showing that one in two families struggle to afford necessities like diapers. Some community resource centers already distribute diapers. Vouchers for diapers are already provided for TANF clients by DSHS
The inability to afford these supplies can lead to health risks and emotional stress, impacting both family members who provide are and the individuals who rely on these essentials for daily
living. The legislature finds that one in four parents have missed work or school because they could not afford diapers. Similarly, families who must choose between essential incontinence products for adults and other critical needs may face diminished economic stability, limited job opportunities, and increased stress, further impacting the well-being of families
Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Modifies the length of long sentences for offenses committed by those prior to reaching 21 years of age if certain conditions are met
Potential affect on community: Sentencing for Black males is generally 13.4 percent longer than that of others. This may be one step towards criminal justice reform efforts specifically for Black inmates with longer sentences.
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HB 1322
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Goodman
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Juvenile offenses
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House Community Safety committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion Bill? Senate Bill 5296
What this bill does: Improves outcomes for individuals adjudicated of juvenile offenses by increasing opportunities for community placement options
Potential affect on community: In sentencing juveniles, the court shall make an independent finding, supported by clear and convincing evidence, that commitment to an institution is needed because a community-based placement would not adequately protect the community.
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Senate Bills
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Bill #
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Sponsor
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Bill Title
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Committee
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Date Heard
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Status
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SB 5007
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Braun
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Chronically absent students
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Senate Early Learning / K-12
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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In Committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Supporting students who are chronically absent and at risk for not graduating high school
Potential affect on community: Although increasing, the Black high school graduation rate in 2022 was about 80%. In King county, the drop out rate is about 10%, double that of White students. This bill, subject to funding, creates the Building Bridges program - a grant awarded to local partnerships of schools, families and communities for a statewide comprehensive dropout prevention, intervention and retrieval system including supports for students who are chronically absent in middle and high school.
Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Establishing a loan repayment program for public defense attorneys and prosecutors. Bill offers repayment assistance of $20,000 per year up to a lifetime cap of $120,000 per participant.
Potential affect on community: Financial assistance for law students of color. The cost of law school varies in Washington state however the average tuition at Seattle University is almost 60,000 per year. Some programs offer supports for underrepresented groups. Lawyers of color are needed in our justice system
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SB 5032
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Wilson, C
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Juvenile rehab ombudsman
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Senate Human Services
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Public hearing scheduled Monday, January 20 at 1:30 PM
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In committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Creates an office of the family and children's ombuds within the office of the governor. Investigates, upon the ombud's own initiative or upon receipt of a complaint, an administrative act by DCYF, monitors the procedures of the department and reviews facilities ensuring health and safety including juvenile rehab facilities. Recommends changes in procedures to address the those in the state's care
Potential affect on community: Provides a means of oversight and contact for families of color interacting with DCYF
Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Creates a housing assistance program for youth enrolled in extended foster care. The Extended Foster Care Housing Program (program) is established within DCYF to provide rental assistance and associated housing fees to eligible youth. Eligible for the program if they are receiving foster care services and are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. DCYF is to ensure that all eligible youth receive access to rental housing assistance
Potential affect on community: Assistance for foster youth of color who often remain in the foster care system for longer periods and have difficulty transitioning into stable housing when reaching 18 years of age.
Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Protecting the public from gun violence by establishing additional requirements for the business operations of licensed firearms dealers
Potential affect on community: Reasonable business practices to deter firearm trafficking or the unlawful use f firearms.
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SB 5123
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Nobles
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Discrimination in schools
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Senate Early Learning K/12 committee
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Public hearing scheduled Tuesday, January 21 at 8 AM
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In committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Expanding protections for certain students to promote inclusivity in public schools
Potential affect on community: Reaffirms the prohibition of discrimination in Washington state public schools on the basis of race, Discrimination in Washington public schools on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation and includes, gender expression or identity, homelessness, immigration status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Establishes a financial aid training program for high school teachers, and
others, to be trained on how to support students in filling out financial aid forms. Requires the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board to offer continuing education credits to in-service educators on the topic of financial aid and private scholarships
Potential affect on community: FAFSA and WASFA utilization has waned over the years in communities of color. These families need assistance in applying for post-secondary education grants, private scholarships and student loans
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Companion bill: No
What this bill does: Law enforcement shall provide a juvenile with access to an attorney for consultation, which may be provided in person, by telephone, or by videoconference, before the juvenile waives any constitutional rights if a law enforcement officer, questions, detains, consents to a search, has reasonable suspicion, during a felony traffic offense or serious offense
Potential affect on community: Provides clarity regarding a youth's right to counsel
Companion bill? House Bill 1257
What this bill does: Providing special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22. By October 30, 2026, OSPI, DSHS, the department of services for the blind, and any other state agency working with individuals with disabilities must collaborate to update the implementation plan for improving transition planning activities
Potential affect on community: This bill originates from a 2024 lawsuit N.D. v. Reykdal - a class action lawsuit alleging Washington's existing law violated the federal individuals with disabilities education act. Increases instructional hours from 450 to 1000 for kindergarteners. IEP students are permitted to participate in a graduation ceremony and still continue to receive special education services. Students can attend a common school outside of the district of residence
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SB 5257
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Christian
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Juvenile firearm sentencing
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Senate Human Services committee
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None scheduled
Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Modifying sentencing standards for juvenile firearm offenses
Potential affect on community: Needs further review to determine if suggested standards differentiate from current law. A Suspended Disposition Alternative option offers the offender comply with local sanctions and any educational or treatment requirement. These must be research-based best practice programs.
Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Concerns emergency measures for managing juvenile populations at state juvenile correctional institutions. Facilities are overcrowded and is contributing to high levels of violence and drug use. This impedes the ability of youth to be rehabilitated. Allows an 18 year old to request to be transferred to the Department of Corrections
Potential affect on community: This act is being considered as necessary for public safety. CAAA expresses sincere concern about the safety and actual rehabilitation of youth placement in adult correctional facilities.
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SB 5270
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Wellman
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Educator support / nurses
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Senate Early Learning / K-12 committee
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None scheduled. Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comments on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? House Bill 1352
What this bill does: Provides mentors to novice nurses in the beginning educator support team program. School districts that receive funding for the beginning educator support team program must prioritize and provide a trained and qualified mentor to any novice school nurse employed by the school district. For the purposes of this subsection, a "novice school nurse" is a registered nurse or an advanced registered nurse practitioner who is in his or her first, second, or third year in a school-based role. Schools targeted for improvement or experiencing an influx of new staff/principals will receive priority based upon appropriated funding.
Potential affect on community: Additional support for new professional staff for schools and districts.
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SB 5272
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Lovick
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School safety / penalties
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Senate Early Learning / K-12 committee
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None scheduled. Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comment on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? House Bill 1085
What this bill does: Improves school safety by extending penalties for interference by, or intimidation by threat of, force or violence at schools and extracurricular activities and requiring schools to notify the public of such penalties. Designates interference as a gross misdemeanor
Potential affect on community: Provides signage notifying the unlawfulness for any person, singly or in concert with others, to interfere by force or violence with ((any administrator, teacher, classified employee, person under contract with the school or school district, or student of any common school who)) an employee or contractor of a public or private elementary or secondary school, an elementary or secondary student, or an official or volunteer acting as an official for extracurricular athletic activities of elementary or secondary students, while that person is in the peaceful discharge or conduct of his or her duties or studies.
CAAA has concerns; a parent of color or student of color's actions are often misinterpreted as being "threatening" or "malicious" without cause based upon societal bias
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SB 5273
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Orwall
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Violence prevention services
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Senate Health & Long-Term Care committee
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None scheduled. Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comment on this bill to the committee
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Companion Bill? No
What this bill does: Addressing availability of community violence prevention and intervention services. Secures federal financial participation in the costs of providing community violence prevention and intervention services through community violence professionals who provide timely interventions for youth and adults enrolled in a medical assistance program. Referral by a licensed health care provider if the health care provider determines that the enrollee has been violently injured, is at risk of experiencing violent injury, or has experienced chronic exposure to community violence
Potential affect on community: Resources to address the effects of community violence.
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SB 5274
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Braun
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Body cameras / corrections
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Senate Human Services committee
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None scheduled. Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comment on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Regarding body worn cameras within corrections agencies. Creates a pilot program for the use of body worn cameras at Green Hill school by January 1, 2026 and procedure for proper usage
Potential affect on community: Resource to increase safety of employees and residents
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SB 5275
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Nobles
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Passport to careers program
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Senate Higher Education & Workforce committee
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None scheduled. Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comment on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Modifying funding and award levels for the passport to careers program, and permitting students eligible for the passport to careers program to automatically qualify as income eligible for the purpose of receiving the Washington College Grant
Potential affect on community: Another means to assist student of color meet the cost of post-secondary education.
Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Allows transfer a sufficient a sufficient number of juvenile offenders to the department of corrections of in-residence when secure juvenile correctional institution exceeds105 percent of the rated bed capacity and the rehabilitative goals of
the institution cannot be met
Potential affect on community: CAAA has concerns regarding the safety of youth being transferred, the ability for family to visit the juvenile and the affect upon the juvenile overall
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SB 5282
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Wellman
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Missing Children Advisory board
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Senate Law & Justice committee
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None scheduled. Needs a hearing
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In committee
Send comment on this bill to the committee
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Companion bill? No
What this bill does: Reestablishing the advisory board for the missing and exploited children task force
Potential affect on community: Missing and exploited African Americans are disproportionately high - making up a larger percentage than the African American population. Advisory board should meet more than once per year.
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