New restrictions on the commercialization of patients' medical records have been signed into law in Washington state
On Thursday, Democratic Governor Jay Inslee of Washington signed a bill into law that will safeguard users' personal health information in applications developed by third parties.
Read full storyIn response to restrictive abortion legislation in red states, Washington has enacted its own
To prevent the spread of other states' draconian abortion rules across borders, Washington joined a growing list of states that have implemented such legislation. In other developments, on Thursday, Governor Jay Inslee signed a measure into law that would restrict law enforcement and courts in Washington from assisting other states' investigations into abortion.
Read full storyThe governor of Washington has signed a statewide assault weapon prohibition
Except for sales to the military and law enforcement, assault-style weapons are banned by House Bill 1240 in Washington. The widely used AR-15 rifle, along with dozens of other semiautomatic firearms, are all prohibited under the measure.
Read full storyAs the first challenge to Washington state's assault weapons prohibition, AG Ferguson is certain the ban will be upheld
The prohibition on assault weapons in Washington state was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on Tuesday morning. The state of Washington is the tenth in the United States to prohibit the sale of assault rifles.
Read full storyAt the last minute, lawmakers killed a measure that would have given states more authority to punish drug use
When the present prohibition expires on July 1, possession of illegal drugs will be permitted at the state level unless Washington officials act before then. A controversial Senate measure on drug possession backfired in the House despite extensive talks, shocking Washington officials late Sunday night.
Read full storyThe current legislative session in Washington State will expire this Sunday
On Sunday, the Washington State Legislature will finish up its work for the year, with some legislation passing and others failing, with the sole condition being the passage of a two-year budget.
Read full storyThe state budget for Washington, which covers a two-year period, is $69.2 billion.
A new two-year state budget backed by Democratic leaders in Washington's legislature was announced on Saturday afternoon, with increased money for worker wages, climate programs, and special education.
Read full storyThe death penalty has been repealed in Washington state.
On Thursday, the state-sanctioned punishment of the death penalty was eliminated in Washington state as Democratic Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill into law. In addition to capital punishment, Senate Bill 5087 also abolished other statutes, such as a provision that authorized sterilization as a penal consequence. The bill was passed by the legislature, which is controlled by the Democratic Party, earlier this month.
Read full storyWalmart stores located in Washington State have ceased offering plastic bags as a viable option to their customers.
According to Walmart, the organization is taking measures to reduce waste in Washington by discontinuing the use of disposable plastic carryout bags across all of its stores in the state for both checkout and pickup purposes.
Read full storyWashington State's Effort to Ban Marriage Before 18 Is Killed by a Democrat
The postponement of a state bill aimed at terminating child marriage in Washington has been announced until 2024 as a result of a decision made by a Democratic state senator to prioritize the passage of other legislative measures this year.
Read full storyLegislation in Washington that would lower the legal age of marriage to 18 has stalled.
The minimum marriage age measure in Washington state, which would set it at 18, has once again died in the state legislature. The charity group Unchained At Last estimates that almost 300,000 underage weddings took place in the United States between 2000 and 2018. The vast majority of these marriages involved young women and older men.
Read full storyA Washington law would legalize the use of medical transgender interventions on kids without their parent's permission.
On Wednesday, the House passed a bill in Washington State that would eliminate the parental authority to intervene in their children's medical treatment under specific circumstances. The bill is now poised to be signed by Governor Jay Inslee.
Read full storyBill to enable teenagers to conceal gender changes from their parents passes the House in Washington.
The proposed legislation in Washington state would authorize licensed youth shelters to refrain from disclosing to parents whether a minor under their supervision is undergoing a gender transition. Instead, these shelters would be permitted to notify the state authorities.
Read full storyThere is just one week remaining in the legislative session in Washington state.
Legislators aren't obligated to act on any of the pending public safety or social concern proposals; all they have to do is establish a budget for the next two years. There is a lot on the "to-do" list of the legislators in Olympia, and just one week to get it all done.
Read full storyIn Washington, a boat carrying over 600 passengers ran aground.
A passenger boat got aground on Saturday in Rich Passage, Washington, near Bainbridge Island, and all passengers have now departed safely. According to a tweet from the US Coast Guard Pacific Northwest, who reacted to the site, there were 596 passengers and 15 crew members on board. According to the latest information provided by Washington State Ferries, all passengers had successfully disembarked at 10 p.m.
Read full storyAn Interstate Marijuana Sales Bill Is About to Be Enacted By Washington State Legislators
On Wednesday, the state House of Representatives passed SB 5069 by a vote of 71 to 26. On the House floor, members accepted a technical change to fix what was called "a scrivener's error" in the version that had been authorized by the Senate earlier this month. Due to the amendment, the bill still needs the approval of the Senate before it can be sent on to Democratic Governor Jay Inslee for his signature.
Read full storyAs a result of the assault weapons prohibition in Washington state, gun sales have increased.
BELLEVUE, Wash. — A law prohibiting the sale, manufacture, and import of assault weapons in Washington state was adopted by the state Senate on Saturday, leading to a spike in consumer traffic at gun stores around the state.
Read full storyAdvisory tax votes that have no legal weight are on the chopping block.
The advisory votes on taxes that had no legal weight and were previously included on general election ballots would no longer be included. Known more colloquially as advisory votes, post-legislative voter participation on statewide tax proposals is something that the Washington State Legislature has opted to do away with.
Read full storyThe Washington state senate has passed a housing measure that will make duplexes and fourplexes lawful.
The state Senate of Washington has adopted a major housing measure that will make duplexes and fourplexes permissible in most areas in practically every city in the state. The Seattle Times reported on Tuesday that House Bill 1110 was approved by a vote of 35 to 14. Approximately six Republicans voted with the Democrats to approve the bill. This legislation would nullify city ordinances that have for decades restricted huge sections of cities to single-family dwellings.
Read full storyThe United States Postal Service has begun an unparalleled employment drive in the Northwest.
The US Postal Service plans to recruit roughly 1,000 people throughout Washington, with the majority of those jobs going to people in western Washington. The United States Postal Service (USPS) is launching a recruitment drive in four Western states to fill 2,000 open jobs.
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