Policy Advocacy

This year, we have a short, intense session that runs from January 12 to March 12. It will come with real challenges, including a significant budget shortfall and coordinated efforts by federal and out-of-state actors to undermine our rights. Still, we’re entering this session with optimism, thanks to the four bills below.

Protecting Health Care Providers from Harassment

Bill Number: HB 2176  | Outcome: TBD

This bill updates the Washington Public Records Act to keep health care providers safe from harassment and violence. It limits access to documents that would allow extremists to fish for personal information about providers who provide a specific kind of care, such as abortion care, gender-affirming care, and vaccinations.

Legal Voice helped draft this bill and is leading the effort to pass it.

Ensuring Access to Abortion Medication

Bill Number: HB 2182 & SB 5917 | Outcome: TBD

This bill will ensure that Washington state distributes its $2 million abortion medication stockpile before it expires. It directs the Department of Corrections, which houses the stockpile, to collaborate with the Department of Health to get the medication to those most in need. 

Medication Abortion on College Campuses 

Bill Number: SB 5826 | Outcome: Introduced & In Committee

This bill allows students to finally get medication abortion through campus health centers. Every year, around 1,000 students at Washington's public colleges need abortion services. But only two of our 44 state schools are known to be in the process of providing those services.

Driver Privacy Act

Bill Numbers: HB 2332 & SB 6002 | Outcome: Introduced & In Committee

This bill regulates the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) to protect personal privacy and promote public safety. ALPRs are widespread in Washington, but there are no laws specifically governing their usage. Unless we implement the baseline regulations in this bill, ALPRs could be used to persecute immigrants, enable stalking, and punish those who seek abortion and gender-affirming care.