Policy Advocacy

Because we lost three progressive seats last November, we were unfortunately working with an even smaller progressive legislative minority this session. As a result, we remained in a defensive position. Fortunately, in collaboration with allied partner organizations, we helped to defeat three especially dangerous bills, listed below. All three bills died in the Senate State Affairs Committee, which served as a crucial check on extremism.

Funding Unregulated Pregnancy Centers

Bill Number: SB 1077 | Outcome: Defeated

This bill would have pushed $1 million annually to unregulated pregnancy centers, excused those centers from significant accountability, and imposed requirements that made it even more difficult to get abortion health care in Idaho.

Empowering Violent Mobs

Bill Number: SB 1009 | Outcome: Defeated

Sponsored by a legislator who told a Native American candidate to “go back where you came from,” this bill would have repealed Idaho’s long-standing ban on private, armed, organized militias. The ban was passed in 1927 as part of the movement to establish “anti-lynching” laws. Such laws prevent armed civilians from carrying out vigilante justice against immigrants of color.

Overturning Marriage Equality

Bill Number: HJM 001 | Outcome: Defeated

This memorial would have urged the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. Such a ruling would destabilize families, create legal chaos, and undermine everyone’s rights to equal protection. Though the memorial would not have carried the force of law, it would have further normalized discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.

Like in Idaho, we were in a largely defensive position in Montana. Throughout the session, we fought against an onslaught of anti-abortion and anti-trans legislation. Three major victories stand out:

  Restricting Shackling During Childbirth

Bill Number: HB 475 | Outcome: Became Law

This new law limits the inhumane practice of shackling incarcerated people who are giving birth. It’s well established that shackling seriously jeopardizes the health of both pregnant people and their newborns. Restraints make epidurals difficult to administer, they delay time-sensitive procedures like C-sections, and they increase the risk of blood clots. Legal Voice led advocacy efforts for this bill, and it passed with nearly unanimous support.

The law takes effect Oct. 1, 2025. 

Abortion Travel Ban

Bill Number: HB 609 | Outcome: Defeated

Alongside our allies, we defeated this “abortion trafficking” bill, which would have blocked Montanans from traveling both in and out of state for abortion health care. The Montana Constitution has always protected reproductive rights, and these rights have been affirmed by Montana Supreme Court rulings and a recent constitutional initiative. However, HB 609 imagined a world in which these rights were somehow stripped away and could be further constrained through a travel ban. In this fiction, Montanans would be criminalized for seeking legal health care outside the state.

Attack on Medication Abortion

Bill Numbers: HB 555 & SB 479 | Outcome: Defeated

These bills are based on a conspiracy theory that medication abortion products affect wastewater quality. If enacted, they would have placed burdensome, unnecessary restrictions on health care providers and medication manufacturers. Because these bills would have disrupted telemedicine, they would have been incredibly harmful for rural Montanans who seek abortion health care. We worked with our partners to present strong opposition testimony, and both bills failed.

In Washington, progressives hold all statewide executive positions, and the House and Senate progressive majorities each picked up one new seat. Despite these gains, we still faced challenges because of budget constraints. We were pleased that the following bills passed, and we will continue advocating for the bills that stalled this session.

Dignity in Pregnancy Loss

Bill Number: SB 5093 | Outcome: Became Law

This bill ensures Washingtonians are not investigated or criminalized for their pregnancy losses. It also requires jails, prisons, and immigration detention centers to report pregnancy losses to the state annually. This is an important first step toward understanding the experiences of incarcerated people and ensuring their needs are addressed. Legal Voice led advocacy on this bill alongside If/When/How and Pro-Choice Washington.

The parts of the law relating to pregnancy criminalization take effect on July 27, 2025. Reporting requirements for facilities will begin in 2027.

Advance Care Directives for Pregnant People

Bill Numbers: HB 1215 | Outcome: Became Law

This bill ensures that every Washingtonian’s advance care directive is respected. When writing an advance care directive — also known as a "living will" — many people use the template in our state's Natural Death Act. Unfortunately, the current template includes a clause that invalidates the directive if someone becomes pregnant. Though some people may want to include this clause, it shouldn't be the default. By removing the clause, this bill protects people from accidentally giving up personal autonomy.

The law takes effect on July 27, 2025.

Expanding Paid Sick Leave to Include Immigration Hearings

Bill Numbers: HB 1875 | Outcome: Became Law

This bill allows employees to use sick leave to prepare for, or participate in, immigration proceedings for themselves and their family members. Immigrants are essential to our communities and economy, and no one should be forced to choose between keeping their job and protecting their right to stay with their family.

The law takes effect on July 27, 2025.