Rep. Tarra Simmons

Maddy summaryHB 1062 requires all health plans in Washington (including commercial plans, public employee coverage, and state Medicaid) to cover biomarker testing starting January 1, 2026. This applies to tests that measure biological markers in tissue or blood (like gene mutations) when used for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of a patient’s condition, provided the test is supported by FDA approvals, Medicare guidelines, clinical practice standards, or expert consensus. Plans must ensure coverage without causing unnecessary disruptions, such as requiring multiple biopsies. The bill mandates this coverage uniformly across all plan types under specific evidence-based criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 1229 allows individuals sentenced as persistent offenders or receiving exceptional sentences (to avoid persistent offender status) due to a second-degree robbery conviction to seek resentencing. It requires public defense offices to review cases where second-degree robbery was used to establish persistent offender status or as part of a plea agreement, and to file motions for resentencing if eligible. The bill mandates courts to resentence these individuals as if second-degree robbery was not the "most serious offense" at sentencing, effectively removing it from consideration in sentencing calculations. This policy change applies to both current sentences and future cases after July 2021, ensuring second-degree robbery no longer qualifies as a "most serious offense" for persistent offender sentencing.

Maddy summaryHB 1178 modifies Washington's sentencing laws to impose stricter penalties for crimes committed to benefit criminal gangs. It expands the definition of "criminal street gang-related offense" to include any felony or misdemeanor committed for reasons like gaining gang membership, controlling criminal markets (e.g., drug trafficking), or retaliating against witnesses. This affects offenders convicted of such crimes, potentially leading to longer sentences under amended sentencing code sections. The bill amends specific laws (RCW 9.94A.030, 9.94A.533, etc.) to implement these sentencing enhancements.

Maddy summaryHB 1180 implements specific recommendations from Washington's Sex Offender Policy Board regarding the criminal offense of failure to register as a sex offender. The bill amends state laws (including RCW 9A.44.132 and 9.94A.515) to clarify registration requirements and adjust sentencing levels for noncompliance. It directly affects individuals convicted of sex offenses who are required to register under state law. The key change updates how failure to register is classified and penalized within Washington's criminal sentencing framework.

Maddy summaryHB 1639 requires Medicare Advantage insurance providers operating in Washington to disclose three specific details to current and potential enrollees: their claims denial rate (as a percentage), the percentage of denied claims later approved on appeal, and the appeals process. These disclosures must be provided before enrollment and upon request after enrollment. The bill states that failing to provide these disclosures violates Washington’s Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 19.86 RCW), classifying such failures as unfair or deceptive practices. This legislation directly affects Medicare Advantage entities serving Washington residents, aiming to increase transparency in coverage decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1189 modifies Washington state school policies regarding parental volunteers with criminal convictions. It requires schools to inform parents about submitting rehabilitation documents (like expungements or certificates of rehabilitation) and prohibits denying volunteer applications based solely on past convictions if such documents are provided. For parents without these documents, schools must consider factors like time since conviction, whether minors were involved, and other relevant details before denying applications, and must provide written reasons for denials within five days. Parents denied access can appeal to the superintendent of public instruction, with specific appeal procedures to be established by that office. The bill directly affects parents seeking school volunteer roles who have criminal histories, aiming to balance safety considerations with opportunities for parental involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 1726 requires state agencies, school districts, and municipalities to prioritize purchasing lumber from Washington state (then Oregon, then U.S.) for public works projects costing over $500,000 with state funding covering more than half the cost. The bill mandates this procurement order unless a waiver is granted for reasons like public interest concerns, insufficient local supply, or cost increases exceeding 10%. Waivers require 30 days of public notice and comment, with a published justification. It applies to new bids after enactment and includes a provision ensuring compliance with federal funding requirements. This bill directly affects public construction projects funded significantly by the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1070 creates a legal presumption that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an occupational disease for correctional facility workers in Washington state, directly affecting staff employed at prisons, jails, or community corrections facilities. The bill establishes that after 90 consecutive days of full-time, compensated employment, PTSD claims for these workers are presumed work-related unless the employer provides evidence to the contrary. It also requires employers to cover reasonable appeal costs (including attorney fees) if workers win their claims in court or before the Industrial Insurance Appeals Board. This applies to claims filed within three months per year of employment, up to a maximum of 60 months after leaving the job. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1671 establishes new data privacy rules for Washington residents, requiring businesses to obtain clear "affirmative consent" before collecting or processing personal data. It specifically protects sensitive consumer health data - including gender-affirming care, reproductive health, and biometric information - and bans "dark patterns" designed to trick users into sharing data. Businesses must provide easy-to-understand disclosures about data use, allow consumers to revoke consent easily, and avoid inferring consent from user inaction. The law directly affects Washington consumers and companies handling their personal data, with exemptions for research approved by ethics boards.

Maddy summaryHB 1765 exempts email addresses provided by individuals to subscribe to regular communications (like newsletters) from local agencies' public records. It directly affects residents who sign up for updates from city, county, or other local government services. The bill adds these email addresses to existing privacy exemptions in Washington state law, preventing them from being disclosed under public records requests. This change ensures that people who voluntarily provide their email for non-transactional updates cannot have those addresses made publicly available. The policy applies to standard agency communications, not emails used for official transactions or services.