Engrossed version. Adds "in whole or in substantial part" to the definition of hate crime, referring to the perpetrator's perception of the victim's race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, or disability, etc. when the accused assaults, damages property, or threatens to do so. This will result in the lowering of the threshold for a guilty verdict and subjecting the accused's life history (statements, social media posts, etc.) to scrutiny and potential distortion.

Filed at request of governor. Ends local public health districts in order to regionalize and centralize them (by 1.1.23) in response to "inequities and shortcomings made apparent in CV pandemic." Companion to SB5173.

Establishes school-based health centers under DOH, with funding, monitoring, partnering with NGOs.

Requires public water systems that intend to discontinue fluoridation notify DOH and receive DOH's info re public health impacts of fluoride, as well as provide this info to its customers 90 days before a vote regarding the discontinuation. Companion to SB5215.

The bill was amended several times. It strips many of the parental rights enacted via I-2081.

Creates taskforce to refine pandemic responses, including temperature screenings at public places; possibly establishing regional emergency management agencies; "developing strategies to monitor, track, and control positive and presumptive cases including issues related to testing, isolation and quarantine". The military is to provide staff support, and it may accept funding from public and private sources.

Monies collected under this new WA State Health Care Authority program (funds will come in the form of assessments on health insurance companies) may also be used "to pay for administrative and service-related costs to expand [M]edicaid access in schools by maximizing [M]edicaid funding opportunities to support the school-based health services program, school-based health clinics ["SBHCs"], and on-site behavioral health services." We do not support the expansion of SBHCs because they interfere

Establishes a medical reserve corps controlled solely by Secretary of Health (SOH). Corps members can be individuals or any sort of entity, government or private. Licensed practitioner members provide either human health or veterinary services, the latter of which include monitoring and treating animals for “diseases that have spread or demonstrate the potential to spread to humans.” SOH chooses compensation amounts for members. Licensed members are immune from liability for civil damages.

Requires state and local health officials to implement and promote "evidence-based, appropriate measures to control the spread of communicable diseases, including vaccines." Forbids the state and its political subdivisions from enacting statutes, ordinances, rules, or policies that prohibit the implementation and promotion of such measures. Removes local control of this portion of public health policy, ensuring that all officials across the state simply rubber-stamp CDC "recommendations."

Would amend statute to replenish funding to schools that was lost due to enrollment declines. The negative financial ramifications to schools due to student withdrawals will be ameliorated by the taxpayers. Companion to SB5563.

Implements a network of public + private orgs to coordinate mental health supports for K-12 students--training, assessments, more programs/policies, partnering with outside agencies/CBOs. While we recognize the need for some students to access mental health care, we are concerned that this bill expands the existing access to K-12 kids via school-based clinics for services provided by outside groups and that may not align with parents' values.

DOH must develop standards to facilitate inclusion of fluoride and provide financial assistance, including from private partnerships, when a water system is started/upgraded. When systems consider discontinuing their fluoridation, they must notify customers and include promotional language provided by DOH at least 90 days prior to its vote. Requires DOH to report to a legislative committee an "oral health equity assessment and recommendations to increase access to community water fluoridation."

Would expand hospitals' responsibility to address not only MRSA but any pathogen "of epidemiological concern" with policies that may include mandatory testing, isolation of patients, mitigation of visitor and health care workers' susceptibility to contract and transmit these pathogens, and reporting to DOH. This could jeopardize patient rights, visitation rights, and patient privacy. It would create unnecessary and unfunded additional policy, oversight and regulatory burdens.

Would increase school board members' compensation from max of $4800 to $12,288 annually and from $50 per day to $128. We oppose because school board positions should be filled by devoted members of the community and not influenced by remuneration for the job.

Allows for a tax to fund, in part, SBHCs and “school-based services that address mental, social, and physical health.” There are many other funding sources, laws, and bills for SBHCs, which often serve to interrupt parents' care of their students.

Increases public health's reach by adding to EMT job description the provision of NON-emergency medical evaluation, testing, and vaccines in response to a public health agency request to control and prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Companion to SB5754.

Codifies DOH authority to issue vaccine guidance without rulemaking, based on ACIP or any org it deems “science-based.” Redefines vaccines in WA’s purchase program to bypass ACIP. Emergency clause blocks referendum. Shifts power to the state, reduces transparency and accountability.

Would create “health equity zones” in geographical areas with health disparities, inviting partnerships between providers, public health, other agencies, and nonprofits to create and manage projects and apply for resources. Would require annual reporting from DOH to the legislature.

Lowers qualifications of declarant in support of a petition for a court to find that a person must involuntarily undergo a mental eval, including up to 24 hour detainment. Lowers burden of proof required for court order. Discusses orders "to receive" involuntary treatment, removing the inflammatory term "commitment." Increases the severity of consequences for a minor with deteriorating functioning or one who doesn't comply with court-imposed "less restrictive alternative treatments" for behavior

Dismantles many provisions of I-2081. Ends requirement for prior notice to parents when students are offered or receive medical services, including those that the school arranges and may require follow-up care. Rather than immediate notice, allows schools up to 72 hours to give parents notice of removal of their child from campus. Removes rights of parents to review their child's mental health and medical records at school.

Establishes a universal health care commission to develop a plan to create a statewide universal health care system by 2026 so that "all residents of the state have comprehensive, equitable, and affordable health care coverage under a publicly financed and privately and publicly delivered health care system." Oppose because we have witnessed the dangers of public-private partnerships with the medical and drug industry that have not served the health interests of the public.

A person who is sheltering a runaway or homeless youth is exempt from the requirement of reporting it to law enforcement and the parents in the event the child is seeking or receiving "gender-affirming" or "reproductive" care, including abortion, as defined in SB5489.

This bill may result in minors from other states coming to Washington and obtaining abortion/gender "treatment" without their parents' knowledge or consent.

A youth of any age who is homeless and "not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian" can consent to nonemergency outpatient primary care services, including vaccination. Excludes elective surgeries. The health care worker, who is not required to obtain documentation of the child's status, is shielded from civil liability and administrative sanctions for providing services.

Redefined "vaccine" to omit that it is "a preparation of killed or attenuated living microorganisms, or fraction thereof, that upon administration stimulates immunity that protects against diseases" and instead simply calls it an "immunization." Now allows WA Vaccine Assn to participate in funding all WA newborns <8 months in "their first RSV season" to be given the brand-new Beyfortis (nirsevimab) a monoclonal antibody (MA)--not a vaccine--injection for RSV, as well as all future pediatric MAs.

Gives Secretary of Health (SOH) authority to issue a prescriptive "standing order" for "tools" to control disease AND to control ANY threat to public health. This includes products to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease. The bill exempts SOH from all civil/criminal damage claims that arise from this law. DOH may acquire and deliver the subject products. Standing orders can compromise informed consent because providers use a presumptive approach with their patients.

Already adopted on January 18: serves to extend current gubernatorial emergency declaration indefinitely, given its reliance upon definition of "until order is restored" that is not already considered to have been met.

Requires state executive branch (not legislative or judicial or private) employers to rehire workers who were dismissed for not taking CV shots. If employer claims a change in circumstance or hardship prevents such rehiring, employer must prove its claim. In the event employer does not follow the statute, requires AG to obtain order from superior court compelling employer.

Given that Washington law currently permits and assists children in undergoing medical procedures without parental consent, we support this bill as a matter of parental rights because it will reduce the State's ability to contravene and undermine parents’ wishes.

Limits gubernatorial emergency orders to 30 days absent legislature resolution (or, if not in session, by unanimous agreement of the four legislative leaders). Would reduce violation of emergency order from gross misdemeanor to misdemeanor.

A governor's declaration of emergency may not require the closure of religious institutions, unless the order is the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling government interest.

Raises minor consent age from 14 to 17 years old for various medical treatments, including STD testing/treatment, inpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, and outpatient services. Prevents parents from financially responsibility for services they did not consent to and abolishes the "mature minor rule" which previously allowed some minors under 17 to provide informed consent for medical procedures.

Limits gubernatorial emergency powers and expands legislature authority following a gubernatorial emergency declaration.

Government may not require proof of CV-19 (or variant) vaccine in order to be permitted access to a "[p]ublic place . . . any site accessible to the general public for business, entertainment, or another lawful purpose. A "public place" includes, but is not limited to, the front, immediate area, or parking lot of any store, shop, restaurant. Ambiguous as to whether businesses themselves can require proof.

“A county that has not received an equitable share of COVID-19 vaccine doses in proportion to the state's allocation may not be reverted to a more restrictive phase.”

Requires agencies to comply with the same promotion laws that govern drug and medical device companies; prevents agencies from having membership in organizations that are sponsored by the industry whose products the agencies regulate or promote. Companion to SB5596.

Would establish a state-run scholarship program for families to fund K-12 private, charter, or home school attendance, increasing choices for those with fewer financial means. $10k each to the first 100,000 applicants. The scholarships automatically renew each year. ICWA appreciates that this bill supports parent choice and provides unprivileged students more options. The offset, however, is that the bill expands government.

(1) No operating rule of the house of representatives or senate can segregate, discriminate against, or offer privileged status to legislators on the basis of medical status, including vaccination or antibody status. (2) While any such segregation, discrimination, or privileged status is in effect, the operations of the legislature shall be suspended and no legislative action may occur.

State agencies, schools, employers and places of public accommodation/assemblage may not require Covid shots.

Provides several forms of legislative intervention to terminate gubernatorial declarations of emergency. Limits state of emergency to 60 days unless legislature extends it (maximum of 60 days per extension). Gubernatorial emergency restrictions may be terminated by the legislature. Requires gubernatorial emergency orders to be set forth in a standardized form. Reduces penalty for emergency order violation from gross misdemeanor to civil infraction with maximum fine of $1,000.

Would eliminate Covid shot requirements for new or prospective employees of executive branch state agencies. Although this bill is a step in the right direction, its scope is narrow, which is why it's not rated "Strong Support."

Ferry workers who left employment during the CV vaccine mandate may be rehired and have the adverse reference removed. The ferry system may not require proof of CV vaccine in future job applicants.

Clarifies and limits OSPI's authority to halt/disrupt distribution of constitutionally entitled state and federal ed funds, not even in response to gubernatorial emergency actions. Applies retroactively to July 1, 2021. OSPI may not withhold funding unless (a) a school district has failed to meet basic education requirements established in statute; and (b) school districts have due process rights for appeal.

Ends health officers' authority to order or seek an order to involuntarily quarantine/isolate (Q&I) people (including in the TB statute) and removes the criminal penalty for those who leave Q&I.

Raises minor consent age from 13 or 14 to 16 for mental health inpatient treatment and STI diagnosis/treatment, respectively; prohibits parental financial responsibility for these and generally for parental-non-consented abortion for girls under 16. State funds may not be used on abortions for children under age 16 unless her life is in danger. Minors under 16 may not provide informed consent for any other healthcare procedures, and the Mature Minor Doctrine is abolished.

Establishes scholarships to allow parents a school choice for their children. Can cover private school and home school expenses. A new committee (members to have specific characteristics) will process applications. Establishes a K-12 program of 130,000 scholarships of $7,000, 25% for special populations (homeless, foster, low-income, special education) and 75% geographically distributed to all other students across the state. OSPI may not expand its regulation in light of this bill.

Provides for public school parents to have info on teachers/presenters/organizations/vendors and online or other access to instructional materials. Parents to be notified when the student is or has been contacted for disciplinary, health, safety, or law enforcement purposes. WSSDA is to update school board meeting policy to provide for increased public access and participation.