Articles written by Madeline Coats
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House bill eliminates some vaccine exemptions
OLYMPIA (March 6, 2019) -- In a 57-40 vote, the Washington state House of Representatives passed a bill that would eliminate the philosophical or personal objection used to exempt children from receiving the vaccines required to attend school in Wash...
Gun initiative measures challenged in lawsuits
• Plaintiffs claim initiative deprives their 2nd and 14th Amendment rights • Defendants summoned to court for following the Washington state law OLYMPIA (March 8, 2019) -- Two civil rights lawsuits in Washington state have challenged the con...
Senate bill addresses gender discrimination
• Lawmakers seek to eliminate bullying in public schools • Law would protect transgender students OLYMPIA (Feb. 28, 2019) —State senators passed a bill with a 29-20 vote to prohibit harassment, intimidation, bullying and discrimination based on ge...
Law would eliminate personal objection exemption to vaccination
OLYMPIA (Feb. 21) — A proposed bill would eliminate the philosophical or personal objection used to exempt children from vaccines required to attend schools in Washington state. Senate Bill 5841 is co-sponsored by a group of 10 Democratic senators a...
Legislators aim to ditch Daylight Savings Time
By Madeline Coats WNPA Olympia News Bureau OLYMPIA (Jan. 30, 2019) OLYMPIA — Lawmakers are pushing for a bill to allow year-round observation of daylight saving time in the state of Washington, with the intention of the practice spreading t...
Attorney general issues I-639 warning to law enforcement
• Washington state sheriffs call upon Second Amendment rights • Opposition of gun law sparks lawsuits in state • Some sheriffs refuse to uphold gun initiative OLYMPIA (Feb. 12, 2019) The state attorney general has stepped in with a warning to more...
Legislators aim to end Daylight time switches
• Bill could avoid health risks by allowing year-round observation of daylight saving • Daylight saving time could become permanent in Washington state • Federal law must approve year-round daylight saving in Washington state OLYMPIA (Jan. 30, 2019)...
Quake response plan recommended for schools
• Bill to prepare public schools for catastrophic emergencies • Plan may provide more resources to schools in the case of an emergency A plan may go into effect to better prepare Washington state public schools for natural or human-caused cat...
Opioid overdose medication easier to access for schools
Opioid overdose medication could become more readily available for K-12 schools and institutions of higher education in Washington state if a proposed bill passes. “Anyone can resuscitate someone with Narcan. It is incredibly easy,” said Rep. Ger...
House bill proposes payment for college athletes
College students enrolled in an institution of higher education in Washington state could receive compensation for their athletic services, should House Bill 1084 become law. The proposed bill is sponsored by Reps. Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn and...
Blake, Walsh and others consider special honor for a clam
(OLYMPIA) Jan. 16, 2019--Washington may become the first state to designate an official state clam, according to a law co-sponsored by Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen and Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen. The bipartisan partnership of HB 1061 was scheduled...
Lawmakers want to eliminate postage for voters
Vote by mail could become postage-free in Washington state • Could increase voter participation (OLYMPIA) Jan. 17, 2019--A proposed law requested by Gov. Jay Inslee would provide prepaid postage for all election ballots in the state of Washington. S...
Lawmakers propose plan to reduce food waste by 50 percent
(OLYMPIA) Jan. 18, 2019--Three representatives from the Democratic caucus are sponsoring a bill to work towards reducing food waste by consumers and grocery stores in Washington state. House Bill 1114 suggests a plan to fight hunger and reduce enviro...
Medical marijuana could be allowed on school grounds
• Students would be able to medicate at school A bill proposed by Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen, would allow marijuana on school campuses for students who require aid for medical conditions. HB 1060 aims to permit students to consume medical m...
Lawmakers propose rules to shield kids from pot
By Madeline Coats WNPA Olympia News Bureau OLYMPIA — The House Committee on Commerce and Gaming took up a bill that would include preschools and school bus stops within the buffer requirements of state-licensed marijuana businesses. House Bill 1...
Lawmakers aim to 'ditch the switch' on daylight saving
OLYMPIA (Jan. 30, 2019) OLYMPIA — Lawmakers are pushing for a bill to allow year-round observation of daylight saving time in the state of Washington, with the intention of the practice spreading throughout the country. House Bill 1196 was c...
Lawmakers move to prevent youth suicide in schools
OLYMPIA (Feb. 5, 2019) OLYMPIA – A bipartisan group of 22 representatives is working to improve crisis planning in Washington schools to prevent youth suicides. “I know for a fact I am not the only one that considers suicide every single day,” said M...
