Rep. Debra Lekanoff

Maddy summaryHB 1028 updates state law regarding child exposure to violence by revising key definitions. It broadens the definition of a "child forensic interview" to include interviews with children exposed to violence against another person, emphasizing culturally responsive and research-based methods. The bill also updates the definition of a "children's advocacy center" to reflect their role as trauma-informed, facility-based programs that support children traumatized by abuse or exposure to violence, adhering to national accreditation standards. These changes aim to improve the investigation and support for child victims and witnesses.

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 summaryHB 1563 establishes a prescribed fire claims fund pilot program in Washington state to provide financial loss coverage for damages resulting from prescribed fires and cultural burning. This program supports non-state and non-federal entities, such as private landowners and cultural fire practitioners, who conduct these burns according to approved plans and permits. The Office of Risk Management will administer the fund, which covers eligible property or economic damages up to $2,000,000 per claim. The intent is to reduce financial uncertainty and encourage the use of prescribed fire for forest health and wildfire prevention. This pilot program is set to expire on June 30, 2033.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1105 exempts certain exclusive bargaining representatives for Department of Corrections (DOC) employees from specific state rules regarding collective bargaining. Specifically, unions representing most DOC employees with interest arbitration rights will no longer be required to participate in coalition bargaining, a process often mandated for smaller unions. Instead, these individual DOC employee unions will directly negotiate one master collective bargaining agreement with the governor or their designee. This change does not apply to exclusive bargaining representatives for marine department employees at the DOC.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1174 updates Washington state law regarding court interpreters, aiming to secure the rights of persons with limited English proficiency in legal proceedings. It redefines key terms, including replacing "non-English-speaking person" with "person with limited English proficiency" and emphasizing "credentialed interpreters." The bill mandates the appointment of credentialed interpreters for these individuals, but allows for non-credentialed interpreters if "good cause" is found, such as their unavailability. In such cases, the judicial officer must determine the interpreter's ability to interpret accurately and ensure they will abide by the code of professional responsibility. The legislation also expands the scope of "legal proceeding" to cover a broader range of court and administrative hearings.

Maddy summaryHB 1075 amends Washington state law to give public housing authorities more tools to finance affordable housing developments. It allows authorities to form partnerships with nonprofits, include wage requirements in contracts, and manage commercial space within housing projects, while requiring that at least 50% of units in new developments serve low-income residents. The bill directly affects public housing authorities and the low-income renters they serve by streamlining their ability to build and maintain affordable housing. The law, effective July 27, 2025, updates existing authority powers under RCW 35.82.070 to support expanded housing supply.

Maddy summaryHB 1135 requires counties and cities to fix planning errors that violate Washington's Growth Management Act within 45 days of a noncompliance finding. It creates a formal process where a state board must hold a hearing, determine if local governments have corrected violations, and issue findings within 45 days. If local governments fail to comply, the board can recommend sanctions to the governor or refer the issue to the state department for technical help. The law directly affects local governments that miss deadlines for updating land-use plans to align with state growth management rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1142 standardizes training requirements for family members providing in-home long-term care to relatives (such as spouses, parents, children, or siblings), who were previously exempt from certification. The bill mandates specific training hours: 35 hours for most family caregivers within 120 days of starting (including 5 hours before care begins), and 15 hours basic plus 6 hours focused training for spouses/domestic partners (effective July 2026). It applies to caregivers providing non-respite care (20+ hours/month) or respite care under certain limits, excluding veterans' program caregivers. The law, effective July 27, 2025, amends RCW 18.88B.041 and 74.39A.076 to create these new standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1094 creates a property tax exemption for nonprofit organizations that loan, lease, or rent property to government entities (like cities, counties, or state agencies) for character-building, benevolent, protective, or rehabilitative social services - such as youth programs, homeless shelters, or community health initiatives. It directly affects qualifying nonprofits that provide these services and government agencies using their facilities. The key provision expands existing tax exemptions by allowing property used by government for these purposes to be exempt, even if owned by a nonprofit. This policy change aims to reduce costs for nonprofits and governments delivering essential community services, effective July 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates March 9 as Billy Frank Jr. Day to honor his lifelong advocacy for tribal treaty rights and salmon conservation. It commemorates his leadership in the 1970s "fish-ins" that led to the landmark U.S. v. Washington court decision affirming tribal fishing rights. The resolution recognizes his work in uniting diverse groups to protect natural resources and tribal sovereignty in Washington. It does not create new policies or affect any specific group, as it is a commemorative resolution.