Senate Bill 5295, SSB 5295 – Implementing recommendations of the Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee
SSB 5295, which passed the Senate by a vote of 47 to 0, would implement the unanimous recommendations of the Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee, also known as the Sunshine Committee. The bill exempts from disclosure findings from child mortality reviews, all documents received from wellness programs, personal identifying information from transit passes and other fare payment media, and salary and benefit information for maritime employees. Other recommendations from the Sunshine Committee clarify that candidate lists for directors of the Work Force Training and Conservation Board and the Recreations and Conservation Board are subject to disclosure. SSB 5295 previously passed the Senate during the 2009 Legislative Session, but was not acted upon by the House. SSB 5295 is now before the House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee.
48th District, Sen. Rodney Tom, (D-Medina), Y
House Bill 2422, SHB 2422 – Changes notification requirements for the escape or disappearance of individuals from a mental health facility
SHB 2422 requires the superintendent of a mental health facility to notify all local law enforcement in surrounding jurisdictions when an individual escapes or disappears from a mental health facility. The bill also requires that victims, next of kin and witnesses who have testified in court, be notified as a result of an individual’s escape or disappearance. Only those victims asking for notification by written declaration must be notified. SHB 2422 passed the House by a vote of 96 to 0 and is now before the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee.
41st District, Rep. Judy Clibborn, (D-Mercer Island), Y
41st District, Rep. Marcie Maxwell, (D-Renton), Y
48th District, Rep. Deborah Eddy, (D-Kirkland), E
48th District, Rep. Ross Hunter, (D-Medina), Y
House Bill 2625, HB 2625 – Addressing bail for felony offenses
HB 2625, which passed the House by a vote of 96 to 0, requires that bail will established by a judicial officer when an individual is arrested or detained for a felony offense. The bill also requires that the bail be determined on an individual basis instead of a predetermined schedule. HB 2625 is now before the Senate Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
41st District, Rep. Judy Clibborn, (D-Mercer Island), Y
41st District, Rep. Marcie Maxwell, (D-Renton), Y
48th District, Rep. Deborah Eddy, (D-Kirkland), E
48th District, Rep. Ross Hunter, (D-Medina), Y
Senate Bill 5798, SSB 5798 – Providing medical marijuana
SSB 5798 expands the definition of health care professionals that are allowed to distribute medical marijuana under current state law. The bill would allow for physician assistants, naturopaths and advanced registered nurse practitioners to prescribe medical marijuana to qualified patient. Previously the law only allowed physicians to prescribe medical marijuana. SSB 5798 passed the Senate by a vote of 37 to 11 and is now before the House for additional consideration.
48th District, Sen. Rodney Tom, (D-Medina), Y
House Bill 1203, SHB 1203 – Expanding the definition for rendering criminal assistance
SHB 1203, also known as Randy’s Law, passed the House by a vote of 96 to 0. SHB 1203 modifies the definition of rendering criminal assistance by clarifying that anyone harboring or concealing, warning, providing money, transportation or disguising an offender will be prosecuted to the highest penalty of the law. Current law provides lesser penalties for relatives that engage in criminal assistance. SHB 1203 would treat relatives and non-relatives the same. SHB 1203 is now before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
41st District, Rep. Judy Clibborn, (D-Mercer Island), Y
41st District, Rep. Marcie Maxwell, (D-Renton), Y
48th District, Rep. Deborah Eddy, (D-Kirkland), E
48th District, Rep. Ross Hunter, (D-Medina), Y
Y = Yes, N = No, E = Excused, X = Not Voting
SOURCE: WashingtonVotes.org, a free, non-partisan website to find plain-English explanations of bills and a record of each legislator’s votes.
