Rep. Dan Griffey

Maddy summaryHB 1799 prohibits individuals convicted of violent offenses involving a firearm from earning early release credits toward their prison sentences. Specifically, it amends Washington state law to deny all "good time credits" or "earned release time" for sentences resulting from violent crimes where a firearm was used as a deadly weapon. This directly affects people sentenced for violent felonies with firearm enhancements under existing law (RCW 9.94A.533), preventing them from reducing their sentences through behavior-based credits. The bill does not change sentencing lengths but restricts a key mechanism for early release for this specific group of offenders.

Maddy summaryHB 1699 (Defending equity in interscholastic sports) requires Washington public school districts to verify a student’s biological sex through a healthcare provider’s statement (based on reproductive anatomy, genetics, or testosterone levels) before allowing biologically male students to participate in female-identified sports. It permits schools to prohibit biologically male students from competing in sports with separate male/female classifications, while mandating equal resources (equipment, facilities, coaching, etc.) for all gender-segregated teams. The bill amends existing laws (RCW 28A.600.200 and 28A.640.020) to align with these provisions and requires the superintendent to develop guidelines eliminating sex discrimination in school activities. It directly affects public school students, athletic programs, and district policies governing interscholastic sports participation.

Maddy summaryHB 2002 establishes a reward program to encourage the public to report information about firearms used in felony crimes. It provides up to $500 for locating such firearms, or up to $5,000 if the report leads to a conviction, excluding law enforcement officers, individuals with warrants, or government employees acting in their official capacity. The cash rewards will be funded from existing county and municipal criminal justice assistance accounts, which distribute funds based on population, crime rates, and court case volumes. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies (who receive the information) and the public (who may submit tips for rewards), while amending funding mechanisms for local criminal justice programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1433 would establish a regulated system in Washington for adults 21+ to access psychedelic substances for therapeutic use under licensed professionals. It directs the Department of Health to license facilitators and service centers, and the Liquor & Cannabis Board to oversee manufacturers and testing, requiring sessions in controlled environments with trained guides. The bill emphasizes reducing costs to improve equity, particularly for historically disadvantaged communities, while explicitly stating it does not require insurance coverage or override federal law. This would create a legal framework for safe, supervised use and research, pending legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHB 1159 creates a new class B felony crime for knowingly permitting a dependent child (under 18) or vulnerable adult (e.g., elderly, disabled, or in care facilities) to ingest, inhale, absorb, or contact a controlled substance (excluding cannabis). It specifically targets situations where someone responsible for their care allows exposure to drugs, with exceptions for medical use or prescriptions from licensed practitioners. The law defines "dependent person" broadly to include those relying on others for basic needs like food, shelter, or medical care, and specifies that administering substances for health care or via valid prescriptions is a valid defense. This bill directly affects caregivers, family members, and facility staff responsible for vulnerable individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 1426 creates a new civil protection order specifically for vulnerable adults to prevent abuse, not impaired driving (the title contains an error). The bill defines abusive behaviors like physical, mental, sexual, and financial abuse, including coercive control tactics such as isolation, threats, or controlling finances. It amends multiple statutes (e.g., RCW 7.105) to establish this protection order process, prescribe penalties for violations, and clarify terms like "coercive control." The order would allow vulnerable adults to seek court protection against abusers, directly affecting individuals aged 65+ or those with disabilities who are vulnerable to abuse. The bill is currently pending in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary.

Maddy summaryHB 1654 clarifies which local entities are responsible for enforcing the International Fire Code in unincorporated county areas. It allows counties to handle enforcement, but gives cities, towns, or fire protection districts (with over $10 million in annual revenue) the option to take over enforcement duties - including fire cause investigations and building inspections - after providing six months' notice to the county. These entities may also charge fees to cover enforcement costs, and must offer equivalent jobs to displaced county fire marshals. The bill does not change existing fire safety standards but adjusts administrative responsibility between local governments.

Maddy summaryHB 1777 streamlines the state approval process for apprenticeship programs that already have federal approval, directly affecting program sponsors (including tribal and nontribal organizations) and employers seeking to expand training opportunities. It requires the apprenticeship council to expedite reviews of federally-approved programs by limiting state-specific scrutiny to unique requirements, while reforming competitor objections: objections must be filed within 30 days of provisional approval, and frivolous objections can trigger penalties like attorney fee payments or $10,000 fines. The bill also mandates annual reports comparing Washington’s program approval rates to federal standards and other states, including details on pending applications and denial reasons. These changes aim to reduce current delays - where 4 of 17 2024 applications remained pending after federal approval - without altering apprenticeship content or creating new training slots.

Maddy summaryHB 1276 (titled "Concerning organized retail theft") actually modifies sentencing guidelines for violent crimes involving firearms or deadly weapons, not retail theft itself. The bill adds mandatory sentence enhancements: 5 years for Class A felonies, 3 years for Class B, and 18 months for Class C when a firearm was used during the crime. These enhancements must be served consecutively to other sentences and cannot be reduced if they exceed statutory maximums. The bill applies to offenders convicted of eligible felonies committed after July 23, 1995, excluding specific weapons offenses like machine guns. Note: The bill’s title is misleading, as it does not address retail theft but focuses on sentencing for firearm/deadly weapon crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 1849 expands Washington's unexpired prescription drug donation program by removing the requirement that donated drugs must have more than six months until expiration. This change allows pharmacies to accept a wider range of eligible drugs, directly affecting donors (like patients or healthcare providers), pharmacies participating in the program, and individuals receiving donated medications. Key provisions include updated safety checks by pharmacists, mandatory recall notifications for all parties involved, a prohibition on reselling donated drugs, and clarification that donated drugs cannot be reimbursed by health insurers. The bill aims to increase access to unused medications while maintaining safety standards through revised expiration timing and enhanced recall protocols.