Sen. Tina Orwall

Maddy summaryWashington's SB 5080 requires all public high school students to complete financial education instruction to graduate, beginning with the 2033 class. School districts must provide courses aligned with existing state learning standards by the 2029-30 school year, offering flexible options like regular classes, online learning, or career programs. The bill mandates districts to submit implementation plans by December 2025 and allows individual waivers for students who moved to Washington after previous graduation requirements were met. This applies to all Washington public high schools, including charter and tribal schools, without creating new curriculum but making existing financial education standards a graduation requirement.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5178 regulates the sale and transfer of sodium nitrite to protect public health and safety. The bill restricts the sale of products containing over 10% sodium nitrite to only verified commercial businesses, which must provide an employer identification number for purchase. It also mandates specific warning labels, including a skull and crossbones symbol and a clear statement about the dangers of ingestion, on product packaging, advertising, and shipping materials. These measures aim to limit general public access to concentrated sodium nitrite.

Maddy summarySB 5070 prohibits credit and debit card interchange fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions for businesses in Washington. This ensures tipped workers receive their full tips without deductions and reduces costs for businesses collecting state taxes on their behalf. Businesses must report tax and tip amounts during payment processing to avoid these fees, or submit documentation within 180 days to get refunds for any fees charged on those portions. The law requires payment networks to develop a system for reporting these amounts within two years, aiming to make transaction fees more transparent and fair.

Maddy summaryWashington's SB 5121 requires most group health plans (excluding small groups) and employer-sponsored health plans to cover infertility diagnosis, treatment, and standard fertility preservation services. Starting January 1, 2026, plans must cover fertility preservation, and by January 1, 2027, they must cover infertility treatment - including two egg retrieval procedures with unlimited embryo transfers per medical guidelines - and diagnose infertility. The law prohibits higher deductibles, copays, or restrictions for these services compared to other pregnancy-related care and applies to all enrollees, including spouses and nonspouse dependents. It directly affects individuals seeking fertility care, aiming to improve access for people facing infertility, including LGBTQ+ individuals and racial/ethnic minorities.

Maddy summarySB 5717 requires applicants under age 26 applying for their first Washington driver's license to complete a free online course on work zone and first responder safety. The course must be provided at no cost by the state through a contracted provider for residents aged 15-25. This requirement applies specifically to new license applicants (those without prior Washington licenses) and is added to intermediate license eligibility standards. The bill amends existing law to include this course as a mandatory step for new drivers, with limited waivers if the course isn't available during application. It does not impose new penalties but integrates safety education into the licensing process.

Maddy summarySB 5082 creates a state housing assistance program for youth in Washington’s extended foster care system (ages 18-21). It provides rental assistance for up to 36 months (until age 21) to eligible youth who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, capping rent at 30% of their income (max 40% if rent exceeds fair market value). The program ensures youth can access housing support while remaining in foster care, avoiding the current gap where they must exit foster care to qualify for federal housing vouchers. The bill also requires transition planning at age 21 to connect youth with housing, financial, education, and health services. This directly affects approximately 13% of foster youth experiencing homelessness in extended care, as noted in the bill’s findings.

Maddy summarySB 5654 prohibits public schools in Washington from using physical restraint, isolation (seclusion), or chemical restraint solely for discipline or staff convenience. It requires schools to use functional behavioral assessments and individualized plans before applying restrictive interventions, and mandates intensive crisis training for staff. The bill defines "isolation" as involuntary separation from others (excluding brief, student-selected calm-down times or emergencies), and bans practices that cause emotional harm. It directly affects all public K-12 students, particularly those with behavioral needs, by requiring schools to prioritize safety and evidence-based strategies. The law also strengthens accountability through reporting requirements for school districts.

Maddy summarySB 5367 creates grant programs to fund community-led safety initiatives that build trust between law enforcement and residents. It directly affects public agencies and nonprofits in Washington state by providing funding for neighborhood organizing, youth engagement, business partnerships, and antiracist law enforcement practices. Key provisions require grantees to implement specific activities like community-led crime prevention, regular dialogue between police and residents, and youth leadership development, while tracking data on impacts. The bill also establishes a new program placing newly hired officers in community organizations for 45 days before academy training. All grant recipients must report outcomes to the state annually, with the program expiring in 2029.

Maddy summarySB 5580 requires corporations, trusts, and other entities owning 20 or more single-family homes or condominium units in Washington to register with the Secretary of State. They must report contact details, property addresses, end use (like rental or sale), purchase prices, and business locations. The law aims to create statewide transparency about corporate housing ownership, which the bill cites as increasing rapidly (22% of single-family purchases in 2022). Exemptions include banks that acquired properties through foreclosure within 12 months and "build to rent" developments. This registration is intended to help policymakers address housing affordability without restricting ownership.

Maddy summarySB 5180 requires all Washington public school districts to adopt or update policies ensuring gender-inclusive school environments, directly affecting students, staff, and families in every public school. Key provisions mandate schools to guarantee students' rights to use preferred names/pronouns, participate in sports/activities aligned with their gender identity, access appropriate restrooms, and dress per their gender expression within school dress codes. School districts must designate a primary contact for these policies, provide annual training, and share policies with parents, students, and staff. The bill clarifies and strengthens existing state protections for transgender and gender-expansive students, aiming to eliminate ambiguity in current law and ensure consistent implementation across all school districts.