Washington state will soon have the highest Medicaid reimbursement rate for birth doulas in the U.S. thanks to the efforts of Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest). The supplemental operating budget, signed into law March 29, allows birth doulas to claim up to $3,500 per doula — making it the highest rate in the nation, according to […]
Nobles bill to improve process for mental health sentencing alternative signed into law
A bill to improve the long-term health of individuals convicted of crimes where mental health, cognitive issues, or brain injuries are a factor was signed into law Friday. Senate Bill 5588, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), makes the mental health sentencing alternative process more efficient by requiring the Department of Corrections to provide a diagnosis […]
Nobles bill aligning eligibility time frames across state, federal financial aid programs signed into law
Legislation to allow students to receive state financial aid for the same amount of time they can receive federal aid was signed into law Thursday. Senate Bill 5904, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), aligns the maximum eligibility time frames for the Washington College Grant, College Bound Scholarship, and Passport to Careers programs with that […]
Leavitt bill to help the vulnerable during extreme weather signed into law
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, to protect vulnerable individuals during extreme weather, has been signed into law by the governor. House Bill 1012, the Extreme Weather Protection Act, tasks the Washington Military Department with helping communities better protect their residents during extreme weather events. “Flooding, increased severity of fire seasons, extreme heat, cold weather […]
Governor signs Leavitt bill – the Lucas Petty Act – to protect students from opioids and fentanyl
The governor has signed the Lucas Petty Act (House Bill 1956) to educate students about the dangers of fentanyl and opioids. Opioids represent the largest percentage of overdose deaths in Washington, a staggering 68 percent. Nationally, Washington has the second-highest percentage increase — 65 percent — in fentanyl poisoning deaths over a one-year period. This is especially prevalent among […]
Nobles bill to create more affordable homeownership opportunities signed into law
A bill to create more affordable homeownership opportunities was signed into law Friday. Senate Bill 6173, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), aims to expand the production of affordable housing by enabling local municipalities imposing an affordable and supportive housing sales and use tax to support organizations in creating homeownership opportunities for households earning up […]
Governor signs Bronoske expanding access to anaphylaxis medication in schools
The governor has signed legislation that expands in-school access to life-saving anaphylaxis medication. Sponsored by Rep. Dan Bronoske, D-Lakewood, House Bill 1608 passed both chambers unanimously. “Students already face health and safety challenges at school. We should do all we can to protect the kids in our schools,” said Bronoske. “Our schools do a great job eliminating allergens, so […]
Nobles bill to continue Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program signed into law
A bill to continue a statewide program improving active transportation connectivity in overburdened communities was signed into law Thursday. Senate Bill 6283, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), eliminates the expiration date for the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program, which was set to end in 2027. Williams, a Black community organizer and advocate, worked to address historic […]
Leavitt bills to support military families and veterans headed to the Governor’s desk
The Washington state legislature has passed a series of bills, sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt, University Place, that will help veterans and military families gain access to resources, workforce training and physician assistant certification. House Bill 1943 extends the Washington National Guard Postsecondary Education Grant to the direct family of a Washington National Guard member. Additionally, […]