Bill Alerts

This bill provides coverage to patients for prescription drugs for advanced metastatic cancer when a health care practitioner deems that not having those would further jeopardize the health of the patient by adding a new section to chapter 48.43 RCW, chapter 41.05 RCW, and chapter 74.09 RCW. This new section would require health plans issued…

Requires health plans to provide medically necessary treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Every health plan issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, that provides hospital, medical, or surgical coverage shall provide coverage for medically necessary treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. A health carrier shall not limit benefits…

Permitting public assistance program beneficiaries to automatically qualify as income-eligible for receiving the Washington college grant. This bill will: Allow Basic Food Program or Food Assistance Program recipients in the 10th, 11th, or 12th grades to automatically qualify as income-eligible for the Washington College Grant. Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, issue a certificate to…

The John McCoy (lulilaš) since time immemorial curriculum. This bill recognizes John McCoy’s efforts in supporting student and educator learning about the history, culture, and government of federally recognized Indian tribes in the Pacific Northwest. McCoy’s sponsorship of Substitute House Bill No. 1495 in 2005, initiated the incorporation of tribal history, culture, and government into…

Washington 13 free guarantee act. This bill will provide free access to community and technical colleges for students regardless of income beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. Requirement include that students must: Be Washington State residents. Have graduated from a Washington State public high school or earned a high school equivalency certificate in the same…

Promoting Outdoor Learning in State Parks. If passed, this bill will: Require the Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) to consider design elements that support outdoor learning when developing certain capital projects. Require the Commission to assist with coordinating outdoor education events in state parks. Require the Commission to conduct a survey of facilities within state…

Changes to Paid Family & Medical Leave requirements for Small Employers. If passed, effective January 1, 2025, this bill will: Amend RCW 50A.10.030 and 2023 c 166 s1 to remove the exemption that says that employers with fewer than 50 employees need not pay any portion of the premium for the Paid Family and Medical…

Supporting crime victims and witnesses by promoting victim-centered, trauma-informed responses Summary of bill and impact on Washington: Change Impact 1.  Establishes the Statewide Forensic Nurse Coordination Program to reduce victims’ barriers to accessing sexual assault, intimate-partner violence and other forensic exam barriers. Currently, nine counties do not have hospitals that provide forensic medical exams. 1.…

Limited legalization of psilocybin for trauma treatment. This bill will add a new section to chapter 69.50 RCW making It not illegal for a nonprofit organization to receive or deliver psilocybin mushrooms, or for a participant to possess or consume psilocybin, in accordance with requirements in this section. These requirements include that the nonprofit must:…

Establishing an artificial intelligence task force. The legislature finds that artificial intelligence is a fast-evolving technology that holds extraordinary potential and has a myriad of uses for both the public and private sectors. When artificial intelligence is used irresponsibly, it has the potential to further perpetuate bias and harm to historically excluded groups, as demonstrated…