Rep. Julia Reed

Maddy summaryHB 1764 proposes to clarify and expand definitions within Washington's labor standards law, primarily by redefining "family member" to include stepchildren, de facto parents, and individuals regularly residing in an employee's home who depend on them for care. The bill also updates exclusions from labor coverage, such as certain farm laborers paid piece-rate, domestic workers in private homes, and minor league baseball players under collective bargaining agreements. As a proposed amendment to existing statutes (not a new law), it aims to refine who is protected under labor standards but does not establish new benefits or penalties. The bill is currently under review by the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1124 creates a new prescribing psychologist certification in Washington state, allowing licensed psychologists to prescribe psychotropic medications after meeting specific training requirements. It directly affects psychologists who complete an additional master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology, 500 hours of supervised prescribing fellowship, and pass a national exam. Key provisions require applicants to hold a doctorate in psychology, complete biomedical coursework, and gain supervised clinical experience in physical assessments and medication management. The bill aims to expand mental health access by addressing provider shortages, as noted in the legislature's findings that over half of Washington residents with mental health conditions did not receive treatment last year.

Maddy summaryHB 1423 authorizes cities in Washington State with populations of at least 2,000 to participate in a pilot program using automated vehicle noise enforcement cameras. These cameras would be deployed in designated "vehicle-racing camera enforcement zones" to detect vehicles exceeding maximum permissible sound levels. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission is tasked with overseeing this program and reporting on its implementation and findings to the legislature by January 2028. The section establishing this pilot program is set to expire in July 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Washington's child fatality review process to better identify preventable causes of death for children up to age 19. It requires local health departments to conduct confidential reviews of child deaths, protecting all private information collected from families, health staff, and medical providers. The law mandates that hospitals, schools, law enforcement, and other agencies must provide medical records and related data without charge for these reviews, while prohibiting the use of review materials in court proceedings. It also creates legal immunity for review participants and allows health departments to track trends through anonymized data. The policy change replaces outdated "mortality" terminology with "fatality" throughout the statute.

Maddy summaryHB 1223 tightens rules for challenging voter registrations in Washington State to reduce baseless claims. It requires challengers to provide specific evidence (like certified mail receipts, property records, or verified address checks) before a registration can be challenged, rather than allowing vague or anonymous accusations. The bill also mandates that challengers personally verify facts and sign affidavits under penalty of perjury, and specifies valid grounds for challenges (e.g., felony convictions, mental incompetency, or incorrect address). This directly affects voters whose registrations might be challenged and those attempting to challenge others’ registrations, while aiming to prevent misuse of the process.

Maddy summaryHB 1748 requires Washington's Insurance Commissioner to study how insurers use credit history, credit-based insurance scores, and other rate factors when setting personal insurance premiums, particularly focusing on whether these practices disproportionately affect residents based on race, ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, or national origin. The study will collect data from insurers, analyze current practices and potential alternatives, and assess impacts on consumer costs and insurance availability. The Commissioner must submit a preliminary report by December 2025 and a final report by September 2026 with findings and policy options. This study does not change current insurance practices but aims to inform future legislative decisions about rate-setting factors. The bill expires December 31, 2033.

Maddy summaryHB 1773 creates a state-administered wage replacement program for Washington workers excluded from traditional unemployment insurance, such as gig workers, domestic workers, and others not covered by standard UI. It directly affects eligible residents who meet specific Washington residency requirements (e.g., utility bills, school enrollment, or state ID) and experienced job loss. Key provisions include establishing a dedicated wage replacement account for funding payments, requiring the state to contract a third-party administrator to process applications and disburse funds, and forming an advisory committee with worker, immigrant, and employer representation. The program aims to provide financial support during unemployment for this excluded group, with implementation required by July 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1429 creates a state-funded housing assistance program for youth in Washington's extended foster care system (ages 18-21) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The program provides up to 36 months of rental assistance, capping housing costs at 30% of a youth's income (up to 40% if rent exceeds fair market rent in their area), while allowing them to retain extended foster care support. It requires the state department to partner with qualified housing providers and conduct annual housing status checks. Additionally, the bill mandates transition planning three months before a youth turns 21, including referrals to housing vouchers, benefits, and services to support long-term stability. This addresses a gap where youth often lose foster care support when accessing federal housing programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1984 establishes safety requirements for autonomous vehicles operating in Washington. It mandates that all autonomous vehicles must meet federal safety standards and require a human safety operator physically present to monitor and intervene during operation - similar to a licensed driver. The bill defines "autonomous vehicle" as those with advanced automation (levels 3-5) or the capability to steer and change lanes independently. It also creates reporting rules for testing companies, requiring them to notify law enforcement, report collisions or violations, and submit annual safety summaries to the legislature. These provisions apply to both current testing and future commercial operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1394 modifies the requirements for how long hospitals in Washington State must retain medical records. It mandates that hospitals preserve all medical records for a minimum of 26 years from the date the record was created, replacing the prior 10-year retention period. This new rule applies to both existing records currently held by hospitals and all future medical records, allowing for retention in paper, electronic, or other formats. It also clarifies that all information from each unique patient visit is considered a medical record under this section.