Articles written by Taylor Mcavoy
Sorted by date Results 1 - 24 of 24
Legislature passes laws targeting sexual harassment
Four key bills targeting sexual harassment passed both chambers and went to the Washington governor's desk before the end of session March. 8. SB 6313, sponsored by Senator Karen Keiser, D-Kent, makes an employment contract void if it requires an...
Students urge lawmakers to pass gun regulations
OLYMPIA (March 6) More than 100 students from Seattle and Olympia area high schools rallied at the Capitol building in Olympia in support of gun legislation. They partnered with the Alliance for Gun...
Washington becomes the fourth state to ban bump stocks
OLYMPIA (March 6) -- A controversial gun control bill to ban bump stocks was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee. SB 5922 passed both chambers in the Washington state legislature by slim margins...
New laws targeting sexual harassment await governor's pen
OLYMPIA (March 8) -- Four key bills targeting sexual harassment passed both chambers and were waiting to be signed by the Washington State governor before the end of session March. 8. SB 6313, sponsored by Senator Karen Keiser, D-Kent, makes an emplo...
House, Senate pass ban on bump stocks
A bill that would ban bump stocks, a device that increases a weapon’s rate of fire, is a step closer to becoming law. SB 5992 passed the House of Representatives 56-41 last Friday largely along party lines. The bill had passed in the Senate 29-20...
Lawmakers consider new gun legislation
With less than two weeks left in the session, state lawmakers introduced a new bill in response to the high school shooting in Parkland, Florida. SB 6620, and its companion in the House, HB 3004,...
Washington moves closer to bump stock ban
OLYMPIA (Feb. 23) -- A bill that would ban bump stocks, a device that increases a weapon's rate of fire, is a step closer to becoming law. SB 5992 passed the House of Representatives 56-41 on Friday,...
Legislators clash over gun legislation amid mass shooting talks
Washington State lawmakers introduced a multitude of bills early this 2018 session on issues of gun regulation to address the multiple incidences of gun violence in the nation. More than 10 firearm bills were introduced and led to heated debate...
Washington moves closer to bump stock ban
OLYMPIA (Feb. 23) -- A bill that would ban bump stocks, a device that increases a weapon’s rate of fire, is a step closer to becoming law. SB 5992 passed the House of Representatives 56-41 on Friday, Feb. 23 largely along party lines. The bill...
Proposed bill would provide free college tuition to some students
OLYMPIA (Feb. 8) -- A proposal to establish the Evergreen Free College Program would phase in funding to pay tuition for students from low and middle income families. SB 6101 applies to state residents enrolled in a state university or community...
Senate OKs bill on coverage for costs of abortion, conraception
OLYMPIA (Jan. 31) -- The state Senate approved a measure that would provide greater access to birth control and other reproductive health services, including abortions. Passed by a slim margin, 26-22...
Bill would outlaw concealed carry on private property
A proposal before lawmakers could make it a crime for someone to carry a concealed weapon into a friend’s home without permission. The current law allows someone to carry a concealed handgun anywhere in the state with a concealed weapon permit...
Proposed law would make tampons and pads free for community college students
Amid national and state-wide awareness of women’s healthcare, Washington state lawmakers are considering a bill that would require community and technical colleges to provide free tampons or sanitary pads to students. Representatives in the House...
Program before lawmakers could strengthen mental health crisis response
OLYMPIA (Feb. 1) -- A proposed pilot project would partner mental health professionals and local law enforcement officers on calls that involve a mental health crisis. HB 2892 creates a grant from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chi...
Workplace bullying and sexual harassment bills go before lawmakers
OLYMPIA (Jan. 26) -- Proposals before the state Legislature would grant new protections from sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace. The bills come after national reports about Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein’s alleged repeated...
DV harassment could end in gun rights revocation
OLYMPIA (Jan. 24) -- A proposed bill would add harassment to a list of domestic violence crimes for which someone can have their firearm rights revoked. SB 6298, sponsored by Senator Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, adds harassment crimes in a domestic...
Lawmakers advance a voluntary waiver of gun rights for those at risk
OLYMPIA (Jan. 18) -- A bill giving people at risk of suicide the option to voluntarily give up their right to keep a firearm passed the Senate Law and Justice Committee unanimously. The next step for the bill is the Rules Committee before it gets a...
State lawmakers re-consider eliminating statute of limitations on sex crimes
OLYMPIA (Jan. 18) -- A bill passed in the State House of Representatives last year offers some hope for people who were sexually assaulted years ago and want to see the one who harmed them prosecuted. But that hope faces some difficult challenges in...
Once again, lawmakers consider requiring health plans to cover abortions
OLYMPIA (Jan. 19) -- A bill to expand birth control choices for women is before the Legislature for the fifth year in a row. Senate Bill 6219, also called the Reproductive Parity Act, would require health plans that offer maternity coverage to also...
Bill would raise age for nicotine purchase
Washington state lawmakers are considering a bill that could raise the legal age to purchase any nicotine product from 18 to 21 years old. SB 6048, sponsored by Senator Patty Kuderer, D-Redmond, was heard Jan. 22 by request of Washington State...
Legislators hold hearings on firearm bills
Nearly 1,000 people from law enforcement, gun rights groups, gun violence prevention groups, veterans, and Washington State residents signed in to support or oppose contested firearm bills heard on Monday Jan. 15. Hundreds lined up along the...
Lawmakers advance a voluntary waiver of gun rights for those at risk
OLYMPIA (Jan. 18) -- A bill giving people at risk of suicide the option to voluntarily give up their right to keep a firearm passed the Senate Law and Justice Committee unanimously. The next step for the bill is the Rules Committee before it gets a...
State lawmakers re-consider eliminating statute of limitations on sex crimes
OLYMPIA (Jan. 18) -- A bill passed in the State House of Representatives last year offers some hope for people who were sexually assaulted years ago and want to see the one who harmed them prosecuted. But that hope faces some difficult challenges in...
Once again, lawmakers consider requiring health plans to cover abortions
OLYMPIA (Jan. 19) -- A bill to expand birth control choices for women is before the Legislature for the fifth year in a row. Senate Bill 6219, also called the Reproductive Parity Act, would require health plans that offer maternity coverage to also...