2025 Bills We Are Supporting
March 28, 2025
Dear friends, supporters, and allies, 

Please see below for updates, and ACTION ITEMS!


HB 1427 (Rep. Davis) – Certified Peer Support Specialists:

  • Passed Senate Health Care on 3/27.
  • Referred to Senate Ways and Means and must be heard and passed out by COB on 4/8.


SB 5356 (Sen. Orwall) – Training on Sexual Assault and Gender-Based Violence for Title IX Investigators:

  • Passed House Community Safety on 3/27.
  • Referenced in the Senate Budget, but not yet referred to Rules or Ways and Means.


SB 5105 (Sen. Orwall) – Sexually Explicit AI Images of Children as a Crime:

  • Scheduled for executive action in House Community Safety on 3/31.
  • Action Item: Send emails to the committee to vote on SB 5105 before 1:30 PM on Monday, 3/31.
  • Note: Goodman has a striking amendment, and you’re checking with Orwall about her plan regarding this
 

SB 5362 (Sen. Dhingra) – Backfill Lost VOCA Funds:

  • Failed, but the House Budget includes $20 million and the Senate Budget includes $25 million to address the issue.


SB 5330 (Sen. Dhingra) – Bar Kits for Testing Drinks for Drugs:

  • Held for this session for more research and may be back next session.


SB 5227 (Sen. Orwall) – Prohibition of Child Sex Dolls:

  • Passed Senate floor for a vote but planned to bring it back next session.


Please contact [email protected] with any questions

 

Have a Great Weekend,
WASE FORWARD TEAM

March 21, 2025
Dear friends, supporters, and allies,

Please find an update on the current bills we are working on below:


HB 1427: Representative Davis’s bill, which proposes the availability of training on domestic violence, sexual assault, and human sex trafficking for certified peer support specialists, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Health Care Committee on March 25th. (We recommend providing testimony in support.)


SB 5356: Senator Orwall’s bill seeks to expand training on sexual assault and gender-based violence for individuals investigating prohibited conduct on college campuses under Title IX. It also clarifies that peace officers on patrol must complete training related to interacting with victims and responding to calls involving sexual violence. The bill is scheduled for executive action in the House Community Safety Committee on March 27th.


SB 5105: Senator Orwall’s bill aims to update the definitions of obscene visual or printed matter depicting minors engaged in sexual activity and expand the crime of sexual exploitation of a minor. It is scheduled for executive action in the House Community Safety Committee on March 27th.


No further action is expected this session:

  • SB 5330 (regarding spiked drink kits)
  • SB 5227 (prohibiting the sale, possession, etc., of child sex dolls)


SB 5362: This bill, which seeks to backfill funding for domestic violence, sexual assault, and related services due to the loss of VOCA funds, is unlikely to move forward. However, funding to address these needs is expected to be included in the biennial budgets, which will be released on March 24th.

Please email [email protected] with any questions

Thank you for your support!

WASE FORWARD TEAM

March 14, 2025
Dear friends, supporters, and allies, 

Here’s a quick recap and status check on each bill:

 

  1. HB 1427 (Rep. Davis) – Passed the House on March 11 and has been referred to Senate Health and Long-Term Care. This bill is moving forward, and we’re now waiting for it to be considered by the Senate.

  2. HB 5227 (Sen. Orwall) – Unfortunately, this bill did not come out of Senate Rules. However, the Senate Majority Leader has expressed support for running it next year, so it might have another chance.

  3. SB 5356 (Sen. Orwall) – This bill has passed the Senate and is scheduled for a hearing in House Community Safety on March 17th. It’s on track for further discussion and could advance after the hearing.

  4. SB 5105 (Sen. Orwall) – Like SB 5356, this bill has passed the Senate and also has a hearing in House Community Safety on March 17th. Both bills will be heard together, which is good for their progress.

  5. SB 5330 (Sen. Dhingra) – This bill, which would require rape drug kits in bars and lounges, has been held by Sen. Dhingra due to concerns about the reliability of the kits. It’s unclear if it will move forward, pending those concerns being addressed.

  6. SB 5362 (Sen. Dhingra) – This bill did not pass out of Ways and Means, but there is likely to be funding for DV, SA, and other services in the biennial budget. While the bill itself didn’t progress, the funding aspect may still be addressed in the budget.

The next important deadline is the April 2nd cutoff for bills to be passed out of their assigned policy committees in the opposite house, so keep an eye on those deadlines to track any updates!

Please contact [email protected] with any questions

Thank you for your support!
WASE FORWARD MEMBERS

WASE Forward 2024 Retreat group photo
March 7, 2025
Dear friends, supporters, and allies, 

Bills in Progress:

 

  1. HB 1427 – Rep. Lauren Davis:
    • Changes “certified peer specialists” to “certified peer support specialists.”
    • Includes domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking issues in the training for peer support specialists.
    • Expands access to peer support services through technical assistance, billing health carriers, creating peer-run respite centers, and exploring capitated payments.
    • Requires accessibility of peer services to be considered heavily in Medicaid managed care procurement.
    • Status: In House Rules; action needed to bring to the floor.
    • Next Step: Send requests to House Rules members to bring the bill up for a vote.

  2. HB 5227 – Sen. Orwall:
    • Creates crimes to prohibit trafficking, manufacturing, sending, or possessing child sex dolls.
    • Status: In Senate Rules; action needed to bring to the floor for a vote.
    • Next Step: Send requests to Senate Rules members to bring the bill up for a vote.

  3. SB 5356 – Sen. Orwall:
    • Expands training on sexual assault and gender-based violence investigations to include college campuses and peace officers interacting with victims.
    • Status: Passed Senate on 3/4, referred to House Rules.
    • Next Step: Monitor House Rules for next steps.

  4. SB 5105 – Sen. Orwall:
    • Expands the definition of fabricated depictions to include obscene visual or printed matter.
    • Clarifies defenses for offenses involving depictions of minors, specifying AI-created depictions aren’t a defense.
    • Expands sexual exploitation of a minor and increases statute of limitations.
    • Status: Passed Senate, referred to House Community Safety Committee.
    • Next Step: Monitor the House committee.

  5. SB 5330 – Sen. Dhingra:
    • Requires liquor licensees to offer drug testing devices for detecting controlled substances in drinks in designated areas.
    • Allows licensees to charge a reasonable amount for the devices.
    • Status: On the Senate floor since 2/19, awaiting vote.
    • Next Step: Send a letter to Senate D leadership requesting a vote, draft if needed.

  6. SB 5362 – Sen. Dhingra:
    • Provides $50 million for backfilling lost VOCA funds and $70 million for the next budget.
    • Status: Did not pass out of Senate Ways and Means; funding can still be included in the final budget.
    • Next Step: Keep an eye on the budget discussions.

Bills That Have Finished:

  • HB 1265 – Rep. Stearns: Creates a felony crime for soliciting or patronizing prostitutes (finished this session).
  • SB 5273 – Sen. Orwall: Directs funding to community violence prevention and intervention programs (finished this session).

Actions to Consider:

  • Urgent Alerts: Send messages to Senate Rules members about SB 5330 and to House Rules members about HB 1427 to bring these bills up for a vote.
  • Update Advocacy: You might need to follow up on HB 1427 and HB 5227 with more direct calls, considering their status in the rules committees.


If you have any questions, please contact Noel Gomez directly at [email protected]

Thank you for your support!

WASE FORWARD MEMBERS

March 3, 2025
Dear friends, supporters, and allies,
 
Current Bills:
  1. HB 1427 (Rep. Lauren Davis):
    • Changes the name of certified peer specialists to “certified peer support specialists.”
    • Develops courses on domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
    • Expands peer support services.
    • Requires accessibility to peer services to be a significant factor in Medicaid managed care procurement.
    • Status: Passed House Appropriations, now in House Rules. Needs to pass by 3/12.

  2. HB 5227 (Sen. Orwall):
    • Creates crimes related to trafficking, manufacturing, and possessing child sex dolls.
    • Status: In Senate Rules, needs to pass by 3/12.

  3. SB 5356 (Sen. Orwall):
    • Expands training for handling sexual assault and gender-based violence, including Title IX investigators and peace officers.
    • Status: Passed Senate Ways and Means, now in Senate Rules. Needs to pass by 3/12
      .
  4. SB 5105 (Sen. Orwall):
    • Expands the definition of fabricated depictions, clarifies defenses for offenses related to minors, and extends the statute of limitations for certain offenses.
    • Status: Passed Senate, referred to House Community Safety Committee.

  5. SB 5330 (Sen. Dhingra):
    • Requires liquor licensees to offer drug testing devices to detect substances in drinks.
    • Status: On Senate floor, must pass by 3/12.

  6. SB 5362 (Sen. Dhingra):
    • Provides funding for back-filling lost VOCA federal funds.
    • Status: Did not pass Senate Ways and Means, but can still be funded through the budget process.

Action Alerts:

  • For Senate: Encourage a vote on SB 5330.
  • For House: Ask House Rules to bring HB 1427 to the floor.
  • For Senate: Push for votes on SB 5227 and SB 5356.
  • If you’d like, you can request a hearing for SB 5105 in the House Community Safety Committee.

Finished Bills for the Session:

  1. HB 1265 (Rep. Stearns): Criminalizes the solicitation/patronization of prostitutes.
  2. SB 5273 (Sen. Orwall): Directs the Health Care Authority to fund community violence prevention and intervention programs.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to reach out! [email protected]

 

Thank You!
The WASE Forward Team!!

February 24, 2025
Dear friends, supporters, and allies,

Here is the current status of the bills we have identified to support:

  • SB 5105: AI and Sexual Images of Kids – Passed the Senate and referred to the House Committee on Safety.
  • HB 1265: Sexual Exploitation – Did not pass the House Community Safety Committee; this bill is dead for this session.
  • SB 5330: Spike Drinks on Senate Floor – This bill requires action. A message to Senate leadership may be necessary to bring it up for a vote on the Senate floor.
  • SB 5362: Victims of Crime Act Funding – Currently in Ways and Means.
  • HB 5273: Community Violent Crime Prevention/Intervention Program – Did not pass out of committee and is dead for this session.
  • SB 5356: Expanding Training at CJTC – Heard in Senate Ways and Means on 2/18. The bill must pass out of committee by COB on 2/28. (Possible action: contact the chair and committee to urge a vote to move the bill forward.)

Possible Additional Bills:
  • HB 1427: Certified Peers Bill – Adds folks with training in SA/DV and human trafficking. The bill is currently in House Appropriations.


If you have any questions or need further information, please reach out directly at [email protected].

In Solidarity,
The WASE Forward Team!

February 14, 2025
Dear friends, supporters, and allies


Bills We’re Supporting:

  • SB 5105 (by Orwall): Expands definitions to prohibit the use of sexually explicit AI-generated images of children. The bill has passed the Senate and is now in the House Community Safety Committee.
  • SB 5330 (by Dhingra): Requires drink testing kits to be available for sale in taverns and bars. The bill passed the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on February 14th. It has a low fiscal note, and it’s not yet clear whether it will be referred to Ways and Means or Rules.
  • SB 5362 (by Dhingra): Creates a “Victims of Crime Act Fund” to support crime victim services that have lost federal funding. The bill passed the Law and Justice Committee and is now in Ways and Means.

For Your Consideration:

  • SB 5273 (by Orwall): Creates a community violent crime prevention and intervention process. A hearing is scheduled for February 20th at 8 AM in the Senate Health Committee.
  • SB 5356 (by Orwall): Expands training at the CJTC (Criminal Justice Training Commission) on sexual assault and gender-based violent crimes. This training would extend to those who investigate complaints on college campuses. Additionally, police officers working in public spaces must receive training on responding to calls involving sexual violence. A hearing is scheduled for February 18th at 4 PM in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
February 2025
Dear friends, supporters and allies,

WASE forward is writing to express our strong support for (SB 5105: Concerning sexually explicit depictions of minors, SB 5330 Requires drink testing kits to be available for sale in taverns and bars. SB 5362: Concerning victims of crime act funding).  We believe these bills are crucial for the safety of our community improving public health, protecting our children and vulnerable people.

The proposed legislation offers significant benefits. By supporting these bills, we can save lives, and have a positive impact, such as improving quality of life, and ensuring justice.

We urge you to consider the positive implications these bills will have on our community and to lend your support by signing on or testifying at the next hearing. It is essential that we come together to advocate for policies that promote safety.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to your positive response and hope to see you championing these important initiatives.

Sincerely,
Waseforward Team

SB 5105 Concerning sexually explicit depictions of minors. (View Original Bill)

Senate Bill 5105 (SB 5105) is a legislative proposal in the Washington State Legislature during the 2025-2026 session, focusing on offenses involving fabricated depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The bill aims to address challenges arising from advancements in artificial intelligence and digital tools that facilitate the creation of realistic, yet fabricated, explicit images of minors.


Key Provisions of SB 5105:

  • Redefinition of “Fabricated Depiction”: The bill proposes that a minor does not need to be identifiable for criminal liability to apply. A “fabricated depiction” is defined as any visual or printed matter that is:
  1. Created or altered by digitization to depict a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; and
  2. Obscene.
    • Elimination of Certain Defenses: It removes the requirement for the state to establish the identity of the alleged victim in prosecutions related to fabricated depictions. Additionally, it is not a defense if the defendant lacked knowledge of whether the depicted minor actually exists.
    • Expansion of “Sexual Exploitation of a Minor”: The bill broadens this offense to include instances where a person knowingly causes an unconscious or unaware minor to be photographed or part of a live performance depicting the minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
    • Statute of Limitations Extension: The statute of limitations for offenses related to dealing in, sending or bringing into the state, possessing, and viewing depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct is increased from three years to ten years.
    • Immunity Provisions: The bill establishes immunity from criminal liability for individuals who, in the course of processing or producing visual or printed matter to prevent fabricated depictions, have reasonable cause to believe the material depicts a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and who promptly make a good faith report to the proper law enforcement agencies.


The bill is sponsored by Senators Orwall, Christian, Dhingra, Nobles, Salomon, Wellman, and Wilson, C. As of January 29, 2025, SB 5105 has been placed on the second reading by the Rules Committee.


For a detailed analysis and the full text of the bill, you can refer to the Senate Bill Report This legislation reflects Washington State’s commitment to adapting its legal framework to address the evolving challenges posed by digital technologies in the realm of child protection.

SB 5362: Concerning victims of crime act funding
Jan 20 First reading, referred to Law & Justice. (View Original Bill)
The Hearing for this bill is February 6th at 10:30 am


The legislation for this bill recognizes the vital role that victim services programs play in ensuring public safety and supporting individuals affected by crime. The Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding serves as the backbone for these programs, particularly in Washington State, where it is the primary source of financial support for services aimed at assisting crime victims.


As survivors of sex trafficking, we understand firsthand the profound impact that access to comprehensive and sustained victim services has on healing and recovery. This funding is essential not only for providing immediate support to those affected by trafficking but also for the long-term resources necessary for rebuilding lives.

Maintaining and protecting VOCA funding is critical to fulfilling the needs of trafficking victims and ensuring they receive the support required for their safety and well-being. It is imperative that we advocate for the stability of this funding so that the services that assist survivors can continue to thrive, fostering a community where victims have the resources and support they need to move forward. By ensuring the sustainability of these programs, we contribute to a safer society for all.