Maddy summarySB 5781 requires Washington state health departments, agencies, and local health entities to follow U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling rules when promoting or distributing FDA-regulated medical products (like drugs, vaccines, or devices). It mandates that all public health communications - such as educational materials or campaign messaging - must align with FDA-approved claims and avoid unproven statements about benefits. Existing materials that don’t comply must be removed within 30 days, and agencies must implement internal reviews and annual reporting to ensure adherence. Violations could lead to disciplinary action against staff, and corrections must be issued through the same channels as the original non-compliant message. The bill aims to rebuild public trust by ensuring state health communications match federal regulatory standards.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 5012 requires Washington public schools and colleges to organize interscholastic athletics based on students' chromosomal makeup (XX or XY) and gender identity, creating five specific team groupings: XX identifying as woman/girl, XX identifying as man/boy, XY identifying as man/boy, XY identifying as woman/girl, and a fifth category for others. The bill mandates that eligibility be verified through medical documentation of chromosomal status and establishes private legal claims for students or schools harmed by non-compliance, including damages for psychological harm. It also prohibits athletic associations from penalizing schools for following these grouping rules and exempts kindergarten through sixth-grade activities from the requirements. The law amends existing statutes governing school athletics to enforce these structural changes.
Maddy summarySB 5136, the "Given Name Act," requires Washington public schools to use students' birth certificate names and pronouns matching their biological sex (as listed on their birth certificate) without parental written permission. School staff - including teachers, administrators, and support workers - must follow this rule unless parents provide specific written consent for alternative names or pronouns. The bill also allows school employees to refuse using non-biological-sex pronouns based on religious or moral beliefs and permits affected individuals to seek legal recourse for violations. It applies to all K-12 public school employees and students under 18, with no exceptions for discussing gender identity outside school duties.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows senior centers, senior housing organizations, and senior living communities (with a 55+ age minimum) to operate bingo games weekly, instead of the standard limit of twice yearly. It specifically amends Washington’s gambling laws to permit these senior-focused groups to conduct weekly bingo, with revenue from bingo capped at $10,000 annually. All proceeds must fund the organization’s charitable or nonprofit purposes, and they must follow standard reporting and notice requirements. This change directly affects senior living communities meeting the age criteria, providing them greater flexibility for fundraising through bingo.
Maddy summarySB 5783 prohibits Washington courts and administrative agencies from using a person's vaccination status as evidence or a factor in specific legal decisions. The law applies to guardianship cases (for minors or incapacitated adults), child custody/visitation disputes, adoption proceedings, and related family law matters under chapters 11.130, 26.09, 26.33, and 26.44 of the Revised Code of Washington. It explicitly bans courts from admitting vaccination status in evidence or considering it when making rulings on these issues. This change directly affects parents, children, adoptive applicants, and family courts handling such cases within the state.
Maddy summarySB 5050 requires that in Washington state presidential primary elections, voters' party preference selections be placed inside ballot envelopes so they cannot be seen from the outside. This change ensures party declarations remain as secret as other ballot choices, directly protecting voters' privacy during presidential primaries. The bill also mandates that ballot envelopes include a clear, visible notice reminding voters they must select a party for their ballot to be counted. These provisions aim to prevent outside observers from inferring a voter's candidate choice based solely on their party selection. The bill is currently under review in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
Maddy summarySB 5145 requires new Washington state spending programs costing over $1 million in their first full biennium (and not self-funded by fees) to include an expiration date no later than 10 years from implementation. It mandates that each program must also include a "state spending performance statement" detailing its legislative purpose and specific, measurable metrics to evaluate effectiveness. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee must periodically review these programs using the stated metrics, considering factors like goal achievement, unintended benefits, and fiscal impact, then recommend to the legislature whether to continue, modify, or terminate each program. If a program fails to meet its metrics, the committee must recommend termination, applying to all new programs established after January 1, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 5137 requires Washington public schools to obtain written approval from a child's parent or legal guardian before providing comprehensive sexual health education. This replaces the current system where parents could opt their child out with a written request, making parental consent mandatory prior to any instruction. The bill maintains existing curriculum requirements (including medically accurate, age-appropriate content covering abstinence, contraception, and affirmative consent) but shifts the process to require active parental approval. It directly affects parents/guardians of K-12 students in Washington public schools and takes effect starting the 2025-26 school year. The law amends RCW 28A.300.475 to formalize this approval requirement.
Maddy summarySB 5630 amends Washington's climate commitment act to clarify which entities must report emissions under the state's program. It establishes a 25,000 metric ton carbon dioxide equivalent threshold for coverage, affecting farm fuel users, transporters, electricity importers, fossil fuel suppliers, and natural gas companies. The bill defines specific criteria for when these entities become "covered" (e.g., based on emissions from facilities or operations) and outlines transition rules for new or modified operations. It does not address payments to farm fuel users, as the title suggests, but focuses solely on defining reporting obligations under the existing climate program. This procedural amendment ensures consistent application of emissions reporting requirements across covered sectors.
Maddy summarySB 5047 prohibits public protests within 25 feet of individuals collecting signatures for or signing initiative or referendum petitions in Washington State. This bill directly affects citizens participating in the state's initiative and referendum process by creating a protected buffer zone around petition activities. The key provision amends RCW 29A.84 to make such protests a violation of existing election law, with penalties enforced under RCW 29A.84.250(4). The measure aims to prevent disruptions to grassroots civic engagement efforts during petition drives.