Rep. Liz Berry

Maddy summarySubstitute House Bill 1272 extends a program designed to address complex cases involving children in crisis. It maintains a children and youth multisystem care project director who oversees a rapid care team. This team's purpose is to quickly identify appropriate services and living arrangements for children who are in hospitals without medical necessity or experiencing unstable placements, facilitating their safe discharge and stable care. The bill also requires the governor to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing the program's data and recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Washington's workers' compensation benefits, primarily affecting injured workers and their families. For claims with an injury date on or after July 1, 2026, it updates how permanent total disability benefits are calculated. These changes include adding the employer's health care contributions to benefits and adjusting the percentage of a worker's wages received based on marital status and the number of children. Additionally, the bill ensures that child-related compensation payments are made directly to the person with legal custody of a child, rather than to an injured worker or surviving spouse who does not have custody. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 4664 is a commemorative bill that honors the life and legacy of former Speaker Frank Chopp. It recognizes his extensive public service, advocacy for social justice and housing, and his record as the longest-serving Speaker in Washington state history.

Maddy summaryHB 1141 grants agricultural workers involved in cultivating, growing, harvesting, or producing cannabis the right to collective bargaining. It places these workers and their employers under the jurisdiction of the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC). PERC will oversee the process for employees to organize, elect bargaining representatives, and engage in good faith negotiations with employers on wages, hours, and working conditions. The bill also defines and prohibits unfair labor practices by employers related to these organizing rights.

Maddy summaryHB 1183 reforms building codes and development regulations for cities and counties in Washington to encourage affordable and sustainable building practices. The bill mandates that cities allow for increased housing density, reduced parking requirements, and streamlined permitting when adding residential units within existing commercial or mixed-use buildings. It also provides flexibility in setback and roof height rules for existing buildings undergoing residential retrofits and for new construction or retrofits meeting "passive house" energy efficiency standards. These changes aim to reduce regulatory barriers for converting existing structures into homes and promote energy-efficient construction.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Washington's covenant homeownership program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers from historically marginalized communities. It raises the household income eligibility threshold for participants from 100% to 140% of the area median income. The bill also introduces a provision allowing for full loan forgiveness after five years for participants whose household income is at or below 80% of the area median income at the time of the loan. Additionally, it adjusts the membership of the program's oversight committee.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1531 establishes a state policy that public health responses to communicable diseases must be guided by the best available science and evidence-based measures, including immunizations and vaccines. It requires state and local health officials to implement and promote these measures within available resources. The bill also prohibits the state or any local government from enacting laws or policies that forbid the implementation and promotion of such measures, declaring any existing prohibitive policies null and void. This legislation clarifies the ability of public health officials to use scientifically proven methods to control disease spread, without creating new requirements for individuals to receive vaccines.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1013 updates which leadership positions within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) are exempt from state civil service rules. The bill amends existing law to expand the list of DSHS personnel who are not subject to civil service protections. This change affects specific managerial and executive roles, including the chief of staff, deputy assistant secretaries, senior directors, regional administrators, and others. It removes previous numerical limits on certain exempt roles and adds new categories of exempt personnel within DSHS.

Maddy summarySubstitute House Bill 1669 mandates that health plans offered in Washington's large and small group markets must provide coverage for medically necessary prosthetic limbs and custom orthotic braces. This directly affects individuals enrolled in these plans by ensuring access to devices needed for daily living, job-related tasks, and various physical activities. The bill requires coverage for materials, instruction, and reasonable repair or replacement, including replacements due to changes in a patient's condition or significant device damage. It also prohibits denying coverage to enrollees with disabilities if similar services would be covered for non-disabled individuals, while allowing for standard utilization management. These requirements apply to plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1321 grants the Governor of Washington new authority regarding armed military forces from outside the state. It prohibits any armed military force from another state, territory, or district from entering Washington to perform military duty without the Governor's explicit permission. An exception is made if such a force is called into active U.S. service under the authority of the President. This bill aims to regulate the presence of external armed groups within the state and took effect immediately upon signing.