Sen. Derek Stanford

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5065 prohibits the use of certain animals in traveling animal acts across the state. Specifically, it bans elephants, big cats (excluding domestic cats), nonhuman primates, and bears from participating in performances where they are transported in mobile facilities. This bill directly affects individuals and organizations that conduct such traveling acts for entertainment, making violations a gross misdemeanor. However, it does not apply to performances at nonmobile, permanent institutions licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Additionally, cities and counties are permitted to adopt more restrictive ordinances regarding traveling animal acts.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5214 establishes a mobile market program to increase access to fresh, healthy foods for participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs. This program allows eligible nonprofit mobile markets to accept these federal nutrition benefits, aiming to support both low-income households in areas with limited food access and local farmers. The program's implementation is contingent on federal funding and requires the Department to define specific rules, including ensuring mobile markets are operated by nonprofits and do not compete with existing farmers markets.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5459, also known as the Washington Call Center Jobs Act, requires call center employers with 50 or more workers to provide 120 days' notice to the state before relocating a significant portion (25% or more) of their operations from Washington to a foreign country. Employers who violate this notice requirement may face civil penalties. Furthermore, employers who relocate call center operations to a foreign country become ineligible for state grants or loans for five years. The bill also mandates that state agencies ensure new contracts for call center services are performed entirely within the United States.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5480 aims to protect consumers by establishing new rules for medical debt. It updates the definition of "medical debt" and outlines specific provisions for how it can be handled. A central aspect of the bill makes medical debt void and unenforceable if a health care provider, facility, or collection agency unlawfully reports information about that debt to a consumer credit reporting agency. This legislation directly affects individuals with medical debt and the agencies involved in its collection and reporting.

Maddy summarySB 5493, titled "Concerning hospital price transparency," mandates that hospitals in Washington State increase their transparency regarding service costs. By July 1, 2027, hospitals must publish all required data and comply with federal price transparency rules (45 C.F.R. Part 180, subparts A and B, as of January 1, 2025). Starting July 1, 2027, hospitals will also be required to annually submit machine-readable files of all standard charges and consumer-friendly lists of shoppable services to the state department. This bill directly affects hospitals by requiring them to disclose pricing information, aiming to make healthcare costs more accessible to the public.

Maddy summarySB 5355 establishes new protections and resources for student survivors of sex-based violence and harassment at Washington state's larger institutions of higher education. The bill grants survivors specific rights, including access to trauma-informed employees, a timely institutional investigation process, and mental health or counseling services. It also requires institutions to offer supportive measures, such as academic adjustments or schedule modifications, and honor court-issued no-contact orders. Additionally, the bill mandates training for Title IX employees and requires certain campuses to establish committees to evaluate and improve survivor support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the law concerning contraceptive coverage for individuals enrolled in health benefit plans in Washington State. It mandates that health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, must cover a 12-month supply of contraceptive drugs obtained at one time. This provision applies unless the enrollee requests a smaller supply or their prescribing provider instructs otherwise. The bill also allows enrollees to receive these drugs on-site at the provider's office if available and defines "contraceptive drugs" as all FDA-approved drugs used to prevent pregnancy.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Memorial 8004 is a petition from the Washington State Legislature to the federal government regarding universal health care. It requests that the federal government either establish a national universal health care program for all U.S. residents, or partner with Washington state to reduce barriers for the state to implement its own universal health system. Failing those, the memorial asks the federal government to grant Washington state the necessary waivers to create its own universal health care system.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 8655 honors and commemorates the life and legacy of Ralph Munro, a former five-term Secretary of State for Washington. It recognizes his extensive contributions to the state, including his work in disability rights, environmental protection, and social services.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 8653 is a commemorative resolution passed by the Washington State Senate. It honors and reaffirms the strong bilateral relationship between Washington state and Taiwan, encompassing trade, education, and cultural exchanges. The resolution expresses the Senate's commitment to strengthening this relationship, recognizing Taiwan's participation in international organizations, and supporting a closer economic and trade partnership.