Rep. Tarra Simmons

Maddy summaryHB 1663 aims to improve youth mental health in Washington schools by expanding the school social worker workforce. It requires educational service districts to coordinate with mental health agencies and universities to create in-school placements for social workers and trainees, directly addressing Washington's current ratio of one social worker per 3,798 students (compared to the recommended 1:250). The bill amends state law to clarify school social workers' roles in crisis intervention, trauma care, behavioral support, and collaboration with families and schools. These changes are designed to reduce student absenteeism, support students with mental health needs, and strengthen school-based mental health services for all K-12 students.

Maddy summaryHB 1299 reduces minimum parking requirements for new developments across Washington. It caps residential parking at 0.5 spaces per unit (for cities) or 1 space per unit (for code cities), and commercial parking at one space per 1,000 square feet. The bill exempts small buildings (under 1,200 sq ft residential or 5,000 sq ft commercial), affordable/senior/disabled housing, childcare, alcohol facilities, and mixed-use projects from minimum parking rules. It also allows cities to waive parking requirements for transit-accessible housing (within 1/4 mile of frequent transit) and requires local governments to assess actual parking needs case-by-case. The law directly affects developers and local governments by shifting parking mandates from rigid rules to flexible, location-based decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires companies (service recipients) that pay independent contractors $600 or more annually to report their personal details and payment dates to Washington's child support division. Companies must provide the contractor's name, address, Social Security number, and payment information within 20 days of reaching the $600 threshold. Failure to report incurs monthly penalties of $25 per contractor or up to $500 for intentional violations. The policy aims to improve child support collection from self-employed workers who are not currently tracked through standard payroll systems.

Maddy summaryHB 1116 designates the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November as "Election Day" for symbolic recognition in Washington State. The bill adds this date to the list of recognized observances under state law (RCW 1.16.050), alongside days like Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It does not create a paid holiday or change voting procedures - it is purely a symbolic gesture to honor elections. The recognition applies to state government actions and communications, not to voting rights or election administration. This bill is procedural and non-binding, focusing on awareness rather than policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1513 establishes specific protections for Washington's Seashore Conservation Area, which includes state-owned coastal lands between Cape Disappointment and Leadbetter Point, and other defined zones. The bill mandates that 40% of beach areas under recreation management plans must be reserved for pedestrian use year-round, with motorized vehicle access restricted from April 15 to Labor Day. It also requires special pedestrian-only zones near salmon-bearing streams during spawning season, after consultation with wildlife officials. Local governments may adopt stricter rules, and management plans must consider factors like public safety, habitat protection, and economic impacts. The bill directly affects state parks management, local communities, and beach users through these access and conservation requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1166 establishes the "Providing Effective Education for Reentry Success Act" in Washington State, directly affecting incarcerated individuals by expanding their access to postsecondary education and digital tools. The bill requires correctional facilities to provide broadband internet access, allow incarcerated people to own personal laptops with WiFi, and ensure timely access to educational websites (within two weeks of request). It mandates that facilities collaborate on digital inclusion efforts and prohibits restrictions on online learning for responsible users, defining "digital equity" to include activities like taking online exams, accessing library resources, and applying for financial aid. The law aims to support rehabilitation and successful reentry through structured educational pathways and digital literacy opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all cities and towns in Washington to allow child care centers (including converting existing buildings) as an outright permitted use in every zoning area except industrial zones, without needing special approval. It permits local governments to impose minor restrictions on permits, such as designated pickup/drop-off areas. Cities required to update comprehensive plans in 2027 must incorporate these rules by then, while all other cities must implement them within two years of the law taking effect. The policy directly affects child care providers seeking locations and local governments managing zoning regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 1280 amends Washington's school funding formula to require a 23:1 student-to-teacher ratio for career and technical education (CTE) programs in middle and high schools. This specifically affects sixth-grade students in middle school CTE programs by establishing a funding standard for class sizes. School districts receiving state basic education funds must allocate resources to maintain this ratio for CTE instruction. The bill modifies existing funding rules under RCW 28A.150.260 to include CTE class size requirements in the allocation formula. It does not mandate new CTE programs but sets parameters for funding existing or expanded middle school CTE offerings.

Maddy summaryHB 1502 establishes a new "behavioral health teaching clinic" designation for licensed or certified behavioral health agencies that train interns and new graduates in mental health and substance use care. To qualify, agencies must meet specific standards, including providing clinical supervision, equitable access to services, and formal partnerships with educational institutions. Designated clinics will receive an enhanced reimbursement rate to offset the costs of training (currently unpaid), helping them retain staff and address workforce shortages. This policy directly affects community behavioral health agencies serving Medicaid patients, which face high turnover due to low reimbursement rates and competition from other healthcare settings.

Maddy summaryHB 1657 establishes the "Washington 13 Free Guarantee," providing eligible Washington residents up to 45 tuition-free credits at state technical colleges beginning in 2027-28. It directly affects high school graduates from Washington state (or those earning equivalency in the same or prior year) without an associate's degree who qualify for financial aid. The program covers the tuition difference after applying existing gift aid (like Pell Grants or state scholarships), requiring students to enroll part-time in eligible programs and maintain academic progress. Technical colleges must also assign staff to support participants with wraparound services to help them complete their programs.