Policy Advocacy

Protecting Health Care Providers from Harassment

Bill Number: HB 2176  | Outcome: Stalled

This bill would have updated 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 led the effort to pass it. It made strong progress but ultimately did not receive a final vote before the session deadline. We are deeply grateful to everyone who signed in “pro” to support this bill — your advocacy helped move this conversation forward and build momentum for future passage.

Ensuring Access to Abortion Medication

Bill Number: SB 5917 | Outcome: Became Law

This law ensures 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. We are grateful to the Washington State Women’s Commission and Pro-Choice Washington for leading advocacy efforts for this bill.

The law took effect March 14, 2026.

Medication Abortion on College Campuses 

Bill Number: SB 5826 | Outcome: Stalled

This bill would have allowed 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.

Hub for Gender-Affirming Care

Bill Number: SB 5998 | Outcome: TBD

Using funds from this year’s supplemental budget, the Washington Department of Commerce will establish a central hub to support people seeking gender-affirming care. This hub will provide crucial support as nationwide attacks on gender-affirming care continue. Already, Mary Bridge Hospital in Tacoma shut down its gender clinic for minors in response to the Trump administration’s proposal to end Medicaid and Medicare funding for gender-affirming care for youth.

Driver Privacy Act

Bill Numbers: SB 6002 | Outcome: Became Law

This bill regulates the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) to protect personal privacy and promote public safety. It enacts basic guardrails that block agencies from using these cameras to persecute immigrants or punish those who seek abortion and gender-affirming care. However, the law still allows agencies to retain driver data for longer than necessary. We'll continue working alongside our allies to strengthen these regulations and ensure our rights are protected. Huge thanks to the ACLU of Washington for leading the coalition that advocated for this bill.

This law took effect March 30.

Anti-Discrimination Protection for 2SLGBTQ+ Idahoans

Bill Number: SB 1228 | Outcome: Stalled

This bill would have added “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the list of protected classes in Idaho’s Human Rights Act. Though 2SLGBTQIA+ Idahoans are protected from discrimination in certain jurisdictions, they still lack statewide protections. That means they may be fired from their job, lose their housing, or be denied service because of who they are. This bill has been introduced 11 times but has not yet advanced past a committee hearing.

Ban on Anti-Discrimination Protections for 2SLGBTQ+ Idahoans

Bill Number: HB 557 | Outcome: Stalled

This bill would have blocked cities and counties from having their own anti-discrimination laws. It targeted the two counties and 12 cities that have passed anti-discrimination protections for 2SLGBTQ+ people.

Ban on Gender & Sexuality Education

Bill Number: HB 516 | Outcome: Stalled

This bill would have banned all instruction on gender and sexuality from kindergarten through 12th grade. Current law allows instruction that is age appropriate.

Ban on Pride Flags

Bill Number: HB 561 | Outcome: Became Law

This is the state's second ban on 2SLGBTQIA+ pride flags. In 2024, state lawmakers passed a bill that bans government buildings from flying unofficial flags. But the city of Boise easily got around the law by making the pride flag an official flag. This new bill closes the loophole used by Boise, extends the ban to cover all government land and roads, and imposes a fine of $2,000 per flag per day.

This law took effect on March 31, 2026. Though Boise had to take down its flags, it now displays the colors of the Progress Pride Flag in a variety of other ways.

Forced “Outing” of Trans Youth

Bill Number: HB 822 | Outcome: TBD

This bill will require health care professionals, child care providers, and educators to “out” transgender youth to their parents. Not only will it force these entities to report youth for expressing interest in transitioning, but it would also force them to report youth for any behavior that falls outside rigid gender roles. Those who fail to report could be sued by an aggrieved parent or investigated by the attorney general and fined up to $100,000.

This law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Anti-Trans Bathroom Bounty Bill

Bill Number: HB 607 | Outcome: Stalled

This bill would have required government buildings and places of public accommodation to take “reasonable steps” to prevent transgender people from using restrooms and changing facilities that align with their gender identity. Those who encounter transgender people in restrooms would have been able to sue the government entity or business for $10,000.

Criminalizing Bathroom Use for Trans People

Bill Number: HB 752 | Outcome: Became Law

One of the harshest bathroom bans in the country, this bill imposes criminal penalties on transgender people who use restrooms or changing facilities that align with their gender identity. First-time convictions result in a misdemeanor and up to one year in jail. Subsequent convictions result in a felony and up to five years of prison time. And in Idaho, you can be sentenced to life in prison after three felony convictions.

This law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Overturning Marriage Equality

Bill Number: HJM 17 | Outcome: Stalled

This memorial was the Legislature’s second attempt to urge 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 2SLGBTQ+ people.

Penalties for Hiring Undocumented Workers

Bill Number: HB 584 | Outcome: Stalled

This bill would have blocked all Idaho employers from hiring undocumented workers. Employers would have had to use the federal E-Verify system to check employees’ immigration status, and those who didn't comply could have lost their business. Such a policy would have divided families and crippled Idaho’s economy.

Deterring Undocumented Immigrants from Accessing Medical Care

Bill Number: HB 592 | Outcome: Stalled

This bill would have required patients to disclose their immigration status when visiting hospitals that accept Medicaid. Virtually every hospital in the U.S. accepts Medicaid. If enacted, this bill would discourage people from getting care when they need it most, ultimately resulting in worse health outcomes and higher expenses for hospitals and the state.