Legislative Priorities for Week 10
The next deadline for bills to survive the legislative session is April 2. Any proposals in policy committees must be voted out by that date. Among our priority bills, the following need Catholic advocacy as early as this weekend:
HB 1503 Furthering digital equity and opportunity in Washington state. Internet access is an essential component for a life of dignity in the U.S. Ensuring rural, tribal, remote and other often underserved areas have regular and consistent access to the Internet helps individuals meet their education, employment, health care and other needs. This bill expands access to broadband resources through partnerships with public and private entities in communities across the state. Please sign in pro before 12:30 PM on March 25th for the public hearing in the Senate Energy, Environment and Technology Committee.
SB 5181 Amending the parents' rights initiative to bring it into alignment with existing law passed the Senate and will be heard Monday, March 24 at 8:00 AM in the House Education Committee. 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 sign in con before Monday, March 24 at 7:00 AM. You may also send in written testimony urging the committee to uphold the will of the voters clearly expressed in the parental rights initiative.
SB 5375 Concerning the duty of clergy to report child abuse and neglect. As expected, this bill passed out of a House committee with no exemption for the seal of Confession. 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 will be voted out of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee on March 26. Please send in written testimony to the committee members before March 26 and contact your representatives any time 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. 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 ask that the committee vote on this bill and send it to the House for a full vote in support.
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