Maddy summaryWashington State's SB 6094 creates a framework for funding specialized pediatric transitional care facilities to replace extended hospital stays for infants exposed to substances like opioids during pregnancy. The bill directly affects substance-exposed infants and their parents, aiming to support bonding and recovery by providing non-hospital care in a nurturing environment instead of neonatal intensive care units. Key provisions require the Health Care Authority to study funding models using federal/state resources, submit a report by November 2026, and provide temporary grants to a pilot facility using opioid settlement funds until the study concludes. The bill expires December 31, 2028, and focuses on concrete policy changes to reduce costs and prevent foster care placement.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryWashington State's SB 5921 establishes a legal medical program for psilocybin use under the Department of Health, allowing licensed clinicians to prescribe it for qualified patients (18+ years) with diagnosed conditions determined by the clinician. The bill creates clear rules for inpatient treatment sessions, outpatient microdosing, and strict requirements for producers (growers/manufacturers) and clinicians. It provides legal protections from prosecution for program participants but maintains existing laws for non-program activities like driving under influence or recreational use. The program explicitly excludes use for individuals under 18, animals, and does not override federal laws governing clinical trials.
Maddy summarySB 6252 requires Washington transit agencies receiving state grants to provide free rides to students enrolled in degree or certificate programs at community and technical colleges (as defined in RCW 28B.50.030) and to all passengers 18 years and younger. This policy is a condition for grant eligibility, replacing previous requirements for transit agencies to maintain certain sales tax revenues. The bill mandates transit agencies to document this zero-fare policy by October 1, 2022, to qualify for state funding, with the state tracking ridership under this program. It directly affects community/technical college students and transit agencies seeking state transit support grants.
Maddy summarySB 6123 protects sensitive personal information of Washington state local government employees and volunteers by exempting it from public disclosure under the Public Records Act. It specifically shields residential addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, Social Security numbers, driver's license details, emergency contacts, and demographic data (like race, sexual orientation, or disability status) from public records requests. The bill also allows employees or dependents who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking to request redaction of their personal information through a sworn statement or proof of participation in an address confidentiality program. News media retains limited access to some information under defined conditions, but agencies must redact identifying details in investigation records after completing probes into workplace issues. This bill directly affects all local government employees and volunteers whose personal data is held in personnel records.
Maddy summaryWashington State's SB 6303 modifies cannabis packaging, product safety, and waste management rules for licensees. It allows edibles to be sold in reusable, child-resistant containers (meeting federal standards) instead of individually wrapped servings, and adjusts concentrate/vapor product packaging to match daily purchase limits without increasing per-transaction amounts. The bill also requires digital batch tracking for cannabis plants (replacing individual tags), creates voluntary recycling programs for open packages/vapor devices, and mandates removable batteries in vapor products to improve safety and recycling. These changes take effect 24 months after the law's effective date, with rules to be adopted within 12 months. The bill directly affects cannabis retailers and producers operating under Washington's cannabis regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows public hospital districts in Washington to form cooperative agreements without competing with each other, enabling shared services, combined equipment purchases, and joint contracts to support their public mission. It specifically amends laws to permit these arrangements for serving vulnerable populations, including low-income and uninsured patients. Additionally, the bill creates a new $0.75 annual assessment per insurance coverage month for insurers, with penalties for late payment, to fund public hospital infrastructure. The policy directly affects public hospital districts, publicly owned health care entities, and health insurers in Washington.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public Washington universities to provide medication abortion access through student health centers by the 2027-28 academic year, or offer referral services if they lack a health center. It mandates three specific pathways: connecting students to reproductive health programs, partnering with safety-net abortion providers for telehealth, or using other cost-effective methods. Additionally, all institutions must create a dedicated webpage with clear resources for reproductive health services, including appointment scheduling, academic accommodations, and direct links to state abortion care information. The law directly affects over 196,000 college students at Washington's public institutions who face significant travel and wait-time barriers to abortion care.
Maddy summarySB 5633 updates Washington's outdated land subdivision laws (originally enacted in 1969) by creating a new Chapter 58.17A RCW to replace 30+ existing sections. It streamlines the process by merging the obsolete "short plat" and "subdivision" procedures into one uniform system, requiring local governments to integrate subdivision reviews with Growth Management Act (GMA) and SEPA requirements. The bill directly affects cities, towns, and counties that approve land divisions, aiming to expedite approvals for housing projects while ensuring standards for public safety, infrastructure, and housing needs. Its key provision simplifies the subdivision approval process to address Washington’s housing supply crisis, as explicitly stated in the bill’s legislative findings.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 8676), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally congratulates the Seattle Mariners baseball team for winning the 2025 American League West Division title and reaching the American League Championship Series, with specific recognition for catcher Cal Raleigh's record-breaking season (60 home runs, 125 RBI). The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a symbolic honor from the Washington State Senate. It directly affects the Mariners organization and Cal Raleigh by publicly acknowledging their achievements.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners and direct contractors to jointly pay unpaid wages, benefits, and reimbursements to construction workers when subcontractors fail to pay. It directly affects construction workers, especially those employed by subcontractors who may not receive payment due to misclassification or underpayment. Key provisions include allowing workers to sue owners or direct contractors directly (not just subcontractors), creating a rebuttable presumption that workers are employees (not independent contractors), and mandating that agreements waiving liability are invalid. The law also authorizes the attorney general to investigate violations and pursue enforcement actions. These changes aim to address wage theft in the construction industry by expanding accountability up the project chain.