Rep. Lauren Davis

Maddy summaryHB 2072 imposes a fee of $0.01 per morphine milligram equivalent on opioid manufacturers for prescription opioids dispensed in Washington. The fee funds a new "prescription opioid impact account," with 50% dedicated to behavioral health programs for children, youth, and young adults. Funds also reimburse the state for modifying the prescription monitoring program and cover administrative costs (capped at 12% annually). Manufacturers must report quarterly opioid dispensing data to the Department of Health and pay the fee within 45 days, with penalties for late payment.

Maddy summaryHB 1241 requires Washington school districts to improve transparency and timeliness in special education evaluations for students with disabilities. It mandates that districts provide parents with clear, translated information about evaluation processes and timelines (including a 22-day decision window after referrals and a 60-day evaluation window after consent), track and publicly report processing times by disability category, and use standardized templates for parent communications. The bill also ensures parents receive language-accessible materials and quarterly service reports for quantifiable special education services, while prohibiting multitiered systems from delaying evaluations. These changes directly affect students with disabilities, their families, and school districts across Washington State.

Maddy summaryHB 1479 creates a state matching grant program to supplement federal funding for American Indian and Alaska Native students. It requires school districts and tribal education compact schools that received federal Indian education grants under Title VI of the Every Student Succeeds Act to submit strategic plans outlining goals for cultural programming, academic achievement, and family engagement. The state grant matches federal funds (with tribal consultation required if combined funding reaches $40,000+) and supports activities like cultural identity education, attendance improvement, and intergenerational knowledge sharing. The program mandates annual reporting to the legislature on grant recipients and outcomes starting June 2026. It directly affects eligible school districts and tribal schools in Washington state.

Maddy summaryHB 1252 updates Washington's pretrial release rules to require courts to clearly document their reasoning for release decisions, especially when defendants face violent or firearm-related charges, have attempted to evade police, engaged in foot pursuits, or required significant law enforcement resources (like drone or canine teams) for apprehension. The bill mandates judicial officers to provide written release conditions with clear conduct guidelines, explain penalties for violations, and justify why a defendant may be released on personal recognizance or with lower bail than prosecutors recommend. Courts must also specify how public safety and court appearance will be ensured in every release order. These changes apply to all pretrial cases involving adults and juveniles, aiming to increase transparency and consistency in release decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1455 requires Washington's state toxicology laboratories to process drug and alcohol impairment case samples within one week of receipt. The bill directly affects state toxicology labs, the Washington State Patrol, and individuals facing drug/alcohol impairment charges. It mandates the State Patrol to hire sufficient staff to meet this timeline and requires the chief to submit annual funding requests to the Appropriations committees for this purpose. This law creates a concrete deadline for processing times and ties lab funding to that requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 1301 requires Washington state facilities to provide free communication services (including voice calls, video, and messaging) to people confined in state custody, eliminating fees for these services. It mandates that facilities maintain existing access to communication devices (like wall phones) and provide free tablets to incarcerated individuals. The bill prohibits facilities from charging fees or generating revenue from these services and explicitly states communication services cannot replace in-person visitation. It also requires transparency by making provider contracts and fee structures publicly available on facility websites and tablets. This law applies to both the Department of Corrections and Department of Children, Youth, and Families facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1453 increases penalties for scrap metal businesses that buy stolen copper from telecommunication cables, which can disrupt phone and internet services, including emergency calls. The bill imposes civil fines of up to $10,000 for a first violation, $20,000 for a second, and revokes a business’s license for a third violation. It directly affects scrap metal businesses purchasing copper illegally taken from telecom infrastructure. The law amends Washington’s existing civil penalty structure under RCW 19.290.080 to specifically target this type of theft.

Maddy summaryHB 1430 requires health carriers in Washington state to reimburse advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants at the same rate as physicians for providing identical health care services. This mandate applies to health plans issued or renewed starting January 1, 2026, excluding those offered to public employees. Health carriers are prohibited from decreasing physician reimbursement rates to meet this requirement. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner will collect data on the implementation, including rate changes and costs, and report to the legislature by July 1, 2027. This section does not apply to advanced practice registered nurses or physician assistants who are employees of a health maintenance organization.

Maddy summaryHB 1545 creates a statewide cardiac and stroke care system in Washington, requiring hospitals and emergency medical services (EMS) providers to submit data on patient care starting in 2027. The Department of Health will establish a registry to collect this data, analyze performance, and develop quality improvement plans focused on reducing death and disability from heart attacks and strokes. The bill mandates annual reports on system progress, with a 2028 report specifically evaluating whether on-site hospital inspections are needed. It also allocates funds to support rural hospitals in meeting data requirements and includes public education on stroke/heart attack symptoms and 911 use.

Maddy summaryHB 1534 raises the minimum age to purchase tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products from 18 to 21 in Washington State. It requires retailers to verify customers' ages using specific photo ID with signature (e.g., driver's licenses, tribal ID cards) and imposes stricter penalties for sales to minors. Violations now carry fines starting at $1,500 for first offenses and up to $15,000 for repeated violations, with license suspensions or revocations for repeated breaches. The bill directly affects retailers selling these products, targeting underage access through enhanced enforcement mechanisms.