Rep. Stephanie McClintock

Maddy summaryHB 1122 requires Washington public schools to restrict student mobile device use during instructional hours starting in the 2026-27 school year. It directs the state superintendent to report by December 2025 on successful strategies (like time limits or device storage) and exceptions (for emergencies, disabilities, or instructional needs), then mandates school districts to adopt compliant policies based on a state-developed model. The bill aims to reduce classroom distractions and support student mental health, citing research showing smartphones lower test performance by about six percent. It specifically excludes school-issued devices and applies to all public school districts, including charter and tribal schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1637 requires Washington public schools to implement nonfirearm safety measures, directly affecting all public schools and school districts in the state. Key provisions include creating a public school safety dashboard to track and rate incidents by severity (e.g., bullying, violence), establishing security grants for physical improvements like keycard access and panic buttons, and mandating a full-time school resource officer at every public school. The bill also requires an evaluation of prior school safety reforms enacted in 2019. These changes aim to improve transparency, fund physical security upgrades, and ensure consistent safety staffing to address reported safety concerns among students and staff.

Maddy summaryHB 1221 changes how Washington's state of emergency declarations end. It requires that any emergency proclamation automatically terminate 60 days after the governor signs it unless the legislature passes a concurrent resolution extending it. If the legislature isn't in session, only the top four legislative leaders (senate majority/minority leaders and house speaker/minority leader) can temporarily extend the emergency for up to 60 days until the legislature acts. The bill also prevents the governor from redeclaring the same emergency after it's terminated without legislative approval. This directly affects governors' emergency powers and requires legislative action to maintain long-term emergency declarations.

Maddy summaryHB 1783 allows Washington law enforcement officers to receive small gifts of appreciation (up to $25 in value) for speaking in specific college and technical school courses outside their official duties. The bill directly affects certified law enforcement officers and institutions offering criminal justice, police science, or forensic-related programs, aiming to strengthen community relationships and inspire future recruits. Key provisions permit officers to share real-world expertise in courses like police science or forensic technology, with gifts only allowed when presentations occur outside work hours and comply with state ethics rules. The bill responds to a 2024 workforce assessment highlighting challenges in connecting law enforcement with educational programs. It creates a limited exception to general rules prohibiting state employees from accepting gifts, focusing on educational engagement rather than compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 1255 requires counties and cities to adopt local ordinances banning camping on public property within 500 feet of schools, parks, courthouses, and other specified areas (like zones with recent violent incidents or water contamination risks) by May 2027. Jurisdictions that adopt these ordinances become eligible for state funding to support encampment removal efforts, while non-compliant areas face annual funding reductions. The bill defines "camp" broadly to include tents, shelters, and related equipment, excluding designated recreational camping areas. Compliance requires annual reports and certifications to the Department of Commerce, with funding tied directly to adherence to the ordinance requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1085 strengthens school safety by increasing penalties for interference with school activities through force or violence, and for threatening intimidation, specifically targeting disruptions at athletic events. It requires schools to post clear signage at entrances and athletic fields explaining these penalties, including fines up to $1,000 or jail time for adults, and exclusion from school or events for 12-18 months. The bill directly affects students, athletes, spectators, and school staff (including athletic officials and volunteers), expanding protections previously limited to general school settings to cover extracurricular sports. These changes aim to prevent escalation of harmful behavior by making consequences explicit and enforceable.

Maddy summaryHB 1087 expands Washington's "endangerment with a controlled substance" law to include fentanyl and other high-potency synthetic opioids, in addition to methamphetamine. It directly affects individuals who knowingly expose dependent children or adults to these substances. The bill amends the law to specifically list fentanyl (and its salts/isomers) and other defined high-potency synthetic opioids as covered substances, making such exposure a class B felony. This change explicitly excludes cases where substances are administered under a valid prescription, as outlined in chapter 69.50 RCW.

Maddy summaryHB 1797 requires Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to cooperate with all law enforcement officers during criminal investigations, including responding to requests to search facilities like child care centers. The bill mandates this cooperation as defined under state law, specifically covering investigations into criminal activity. It directly affects DCYF staff and law enforcement agencies by establishing a clear obligation to assist during searches of institutions regulated under RCW 13.40.020. This is a procedural policy change focused on interagency coordination, not new funding or penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1092 modifies Washington state law to clarify when children may be removed from homes due to safety concerns. It expands grounds for removal to include un-prescribed use of strong opioids or other Schedule I/II drugs while caring for a child, and requires courts to prioritize health/safety during removal decisions. The bill mandates a shelter care hearing within 72 hours (excluding weekends/holidays) to determine if a child can safely return home, and requires courts to ensure parents receive notice of their rights and access to legal counsel. It also requires efforts to place children with relatives before long-term shelter care and specifies that parental waiver of hearings must be fully informed.

Maddy summaryHB 1869 prohibits Washington state funds from covering capital costs - such as construction, transit vehicle purchases, or major equipment - for transit agencies created under the laws of neighboring states (e.g., Oregon or Idaho). It directly affects regional transit agencies operating across state lines, restricting state funding for capital projects but not ongoing operational expenses. The law, effective July 1, 2025, ensures Washington taxpayers’ money cannot subsidize infrastructure built by out-of-state transit entities.