Rep. Julia Reed

Maddy summaryHB 2303 prohibits employers in Washington state from requiring, requesting, or coercing employees to have microchips implanted. It directly affects all employers (including state agencies) and employees, excluding medical devices used for health monitoring. The bill creates a legal remedy allowing affected employees to sue for damages, attorney fees, and injunctions if violated. It defines "microchip" as subcutaneous devices storing personal data, but clarifies medical implants for health treatment are exempt.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary exemption allowing individuals applying for a music therapy license to provide services under a licensed therapist's supervision for up to six months. It directly affects applicants who have met all licensing requirements except passing the required exam. The exemption applies only if they do not represent themselves as licensed music therapists and are working toward full licensure. This change modifies Washington's existing licensing law to streamline entry into the profession while maintaining public safety standards. The provision takes effect January 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 2294 bans private agreements that prevent grocery stores or pharmacies from operating on property where they would otherwise be allowed under local zoning laws. This directly affects property owners, developers, and retailers subject to restrictive covenants or leases that limit food and medicine access. The law prohibits rules restricting store types, sizes, or locations - except for pre-existing agreements or store relocations meeting specific criteria like proximity and timing. Enforcement is handled by the state attorney general and local governments through existing consumer protection laws.

Maddy summaryHB 2577 modifies Washington state hospital inspection rules to increase transparency and reduce duplication. It requires unannounced inspections at least every 18 months, mandates hospitals get two weeks to provide missing documentation after inspections, and requires a personal meeting between inspectors and hospital leadership before final reports are issued. The bill also allows hospitals with current federal accreditation (like Medicare certification) to be inspected only every 36 months instead of every 18 months, and requires coordination with fire safety and social services agencies to avoid redundant inspections. These changes directly affect all licensed Washington hospitals and the Department of Health, streamlining oversight while maintaining safety standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2230 streamlines oversight for community residential service providers that support people with developmental disabilities, directly affecting these providers and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). The bill limits DSHS to one annual review per provider per category (such as finances, service plans, or quality assurance) and requires departments to share documents across divisions to avoid duplicate requests. Exceptions apply for investigations, incident reports, or federally mandated reviews. This reduces administrative burden, allowing more resources to focus on direct client support rather than overlapping paperwork.

Maddy summaryHB 2088 creates a multi-state licensure compact for dietitians, allowing licensed professionals to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each location. The bill establishes a "compact privilege" that recognizes a dietitian's home-state license as valid in other member states, eliminating the need for duplicate licensing. It directly affects licensed dietitians (especially those relocating, including military members and spouses), patients seeking care across state lines, and participating states' regulatory systems. Key mechanisms include standardized requirements for practice, shared data systems for disciplinary information, and provisions to protect public health while reducing administrative burdens on both professionals and states.

Maddy summaryHB 2158 allows Washington State notaries to perform remote notarizations using video technology for individuals not physically present. It requires notaries to verify the identity of remote users through at least two methods (like identity documents or witness verification), create audiovisual recordings of the process, and retain these recordings for at least 10 years. The bill specifically permits remote notarization for individuals outside the U.S. only if the document relates to U.S. matters (like property or court filings) and isn’t prohibited by the foreign location. This update modernizes Washington’s notary laws to accommodate digital transactions while maintaining security and record-keeping standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2152, titled "Ryan's law," allows terminally ill patients with a qualifying medical condition to use cannabis in hospitals, nursing homes (excluding some residential facilities), and hospice care centers starting January 1, 2027. Facilities must establish written policies prohibiting smoking/vaping, requiring secure storage, documenting use in medical records, and having patients or their designated providers manage cannabis. Patients must provide valid authorization, and staff cannot administer or retrieve cannabis. The law excludes emergency departments and does not require facilities to comply if federal agencies block it, though it clarifies federal scheduling alone cannot override the policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1604 requires Washington state local jails to create policies for searching transgender and intersex individuals confined there, ensuring compliance with federal law. It prohibits searches solely to determine genital status, mandates staff training for respectful searches, and gives individuals options for who conducts searches (e.g., a medical professional, staff of their preferred gender, or staff matching their gender identity). Jails must implement these policies by September 1, 2025, and cross-gender searches are only allowed in true emergencies threatening facility security. The bill directly affects transgender and intersex people in local jails and modifies existing search procedures under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 2269 allows counties to permit "middle housing" (like duplexes or small apartment buildings) on properties currently zoned for single-family homes in two specific areas: limited intensive rural development zones and designated urban growth areas. It requires counties to limit these projects to four units per lot and apply the same development standards (like setbacks and environmental rules) as single-family homes, without adding extra restrictions. The bill also mandates that middle housing in rural areas use public sewers or large on-site systems, while urban areas must have public water and sewer service. This policy directly affects property owners and developers in unincorporated Washington counties seeking to build more housing options.