Economic resiliency and shared prosperity for Washingtonians hinges on effective workforce development. It requires addressing key workforce shortages, meeting future demand for jobs, and expanding access to education in highly skilled industries.
Governor Jay Inslee was joined by democratic lawmakers and the Attorney General’s Office to celebrate the signing of House Bill 1051, the Robocall Spam Protection Act. Introduced by Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, the bill will hold accountable those who spam individuals with robocalls maliciously.
Legislation to prevent hazing has passed the Legislature and is heading to the governor’s desk for signature. House Bill 1002, the Sam Martinez Stop Hazing Act, reclassifies hazing from a simple misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor. In cases resulting in substantial bodily harm, hazing is elevated to a Class C felony. The Sam Martinez Stop Hazing act, sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, also allows students who experienced hazing to seek restraining orders as is the case for other serious crimes.
Did you know that pill presses and other types of equipment used to distribute controlled substances like fentanyl are legal to be used, even when mass producing pills that kill?
One in four election workers experience abuse, harassment or threats, according to the Elections and Voting Information Center at Reed College and the non-partisan Democracy Fund. A bill sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, will continue the legislature’s work to crack down on these threats. House Bill 1241 makes it a class C felony … READ MORE
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.
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.
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.
