M&A Source®, the leading trade association for the lower middle market deal community, announces the dates for its 2024 Spring Conference and Deal Market. The event will be held from May 13–15 at The Galt House hotel in Louisville, KY. It's a carefully curated opportunity for true lower...
M&A Source®, the leading trade association for the lower middle market deal community, announces the dates for its 2024 Spring Conference and Deal Market. The event will be held from May 13–15 at The Galt House hotel in Louisville, KY. It's a carefully curated opportunity for true lower...
A Deep Dive into the Hotel Industry's Reliance on Immigrant Labor ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 25, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In the third installment of its special series on industries that benefit from illegal immigration, Negative Population Growth (NPG) has released a compelling paper...
A Deep Dive into the Hotel Industry's Reliance on Immigrant Labor ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 25, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In the third installment of its special series on industries that benefit from illegal immigration, Negative Population Growth (NPG) has released a compelling paper...
How The Education Fund and Life Time Foundation Boost an Eco-Learning Environment for Families to Thrive MIAMI, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- This Earth Month, The Education Fund joined forces with Life Time Foundation to champion environmental stewardship and nutritional education...
How The Education Fund and Life Time Foundation Boost an Eco-Learning Environment for Families to Thrive MIAMI, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- This Earth Month, The Education Fund joined forces with Life Time Foundation to champion environmental stewardship and nutritional education...
Willow House received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations. CHICAGO, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Willow House received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly...
Pediatric cancer patients, survivors, and their siblings have declared, "No Cape" reigns supreme. NEW YORK, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation, Tyler Robinson Foundation (TRF), and the V Foundation for Cancer Research have formed a league of their...
The home inspection franchise opened new territories in Colorado, Oklahoma, New York and Florida as it ramps up for an explosive growth year. MILFORD, Ohio, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- After celebrating its 30th anniversary last year, HomeTeam Inspection Service, the...
Pediatric cancer patients, survivors, and their siblings have declared, "No Cape" reigns supreme. NEW YORK, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation, Tyler Robinson Foundation (TRF), and the V Foundation for Cancer Research have formed a league of their...
Willow House received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations. CHICAGO, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Willow House received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly...
The home inspection franchise opened new territories in Colorado, Oklahoma, New York and Florida as it ramps up for an explosive growth year. MILFORD, Ohio, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- After celebrating its 30th anniversary last year, HomeTeam Inspection Service, the...
Touted as a "solution-based conference," the annual Food Safety Summit Conference & Expo, presented by Food Safety Magazine, is the place to be for industry education: learn from experts and network with others in the industry, including representatives from regulatory agencies,...
Touted as a "solution-based conference," the annual Food Safety Summit Conference & Expo, presented by Food Safety Magazine, is the place to be for industry education: learn from experts and network with others in the industry, including representatives from regulatory agencies,...
New cohort of diverse leaders selected to help advance the public affairs profession WASHINGTON, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Foundation for Public Affairs is pleased to announce the 2024 class of Hogans Fellows. Launched in 2023, the Hogans Fellowship was developed to focus...
New cohort of diverse leaders selected to help advance the public affairs profession WASHINGTON, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Foundation for Public Affairs is pleased to announce the 2024 class of Hogans Fellows. Launched in 2023, the Hogans Fellowship was developed to focus...
Prevent Blindness expands IRD and genetic testing awareness initiative to educate patients on various forms of IRDs, and the importance of genetic testing to confirm diagnosis and possible treatments. CHICAGO, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Prevent Blindness, the nation's leading...
Prevent Blindness expands IRD and genetic testing awareness initiative to educate patients on various forms of IRDs, and the importance of genetic testing to confirm diagnosis and possible treatments. CHICAGO, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Prevent Blindness, the nation's leading...
Attorney Michael J. Gopin supports Gozo's Ice Cream, an El Paso shop employing individuals with IDD, with a charitable donation to foster inclusive employment. EL PASO, TEXAS, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In a heartwarming display of community support and advocacy for inclusivity,...
Attorney Michael J. Gopin supports Gozo's Ice Cream, an El Paso shop employing individuals with IDD, with a charitable donation to foster inclusive employment. EL PASO, TEXAS, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In a heartwarming display of community support and advocacy for inclusivity,...
Nonprofit program helps hire emerging journalists to fill newsroom gaps across the country NEW YORK, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Report for America is pleased to announce that it will place nearly 60 reporters and photojournalists in new positions at local newsrooms across the...
Nonprofit program helps hire emerging journalists to fill newsroom gaps across the country NEW YORK, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Report for America is pleased to announce that it will place nearly 60 reporters and photojournalists in new positions at local newsrooms across the...
Breast Cancer Patient and Survivor Pampering Event this Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Warwick Mall WARWICK, R.I., April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF) is proud to host a heartfelt event dedicated to honor the memory of Audrey Beverly Christy...
Breast Cancer Patient and Survivor Pampering Event this Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Warwick Mall WARWICK, R.I., April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF) is proud to host a heartfelt event dedicated to honor the memory of Audrey Beverly Christy...
The medical professional society representing 11,000 health professionals nationwide calls the bill an important step in helping children and their families make healthy food choices. ST. LOUIS, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM)...
The medical professional society representing 11,000 health professionals nationwide calls the bill an important step in helping children and their families make healthy food choices. ST. LOUIS, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM)...
AG Ferguson files 30 felony animal cruelty charges against Sequim woman
PORT ANGELES — The Attorney General’s Office announced today that it filed 30 felony animal cruelty charges against Angela Jacobsen of Sequim in Clallam County Superior Court.
If convicted, Jacobsen faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for each charge of first-degree felony animal cruelty.
The lawsuit alleges Simple Container Solutions and Insulated Products Corporation violated the California Labor Code by failing to pay its employees for all time worked. LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Los Angeles labor law attorneys at Zakay Law Group, APLC and JCL...
Fourteen Research Fellows to Receive Over $4.3M in Science Funding IRVINE, Calif., April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation announced today the selection of its 2024 class of Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows, individuals who underscore the...
The lawsuit alleges Simple Container Solutions and Insulated Products Corporation violated the California Labor Code by failing to pay its employees for all time worked. LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Los Angeles labor law attorneys at Zakay Law Group, APLC and JCL...
Fourteen Research Fellows to Receive Over $4.3M in Science Funding IRVINE, Calif., April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation announced today the selection of its 2024 class of Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows, individuals who underscore the...
AG Ferguson: Kroger to pay $47.5 million to Washington to combat fentanyl epidemic
Washington’s opioid recoveries reach $1.29 billion and counting
SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today he signed onto a pending resolution with Kroger that will bring in $47.5 million to combat the opioid epidemic in Washington state. Half of these resources will go to the state and the other half will go to Washington city and county governments.
Healthy Savannah, East Georgia Cancer Coalition, and Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential join CHC to focus on vaccination equity to prevent cervical cancer in Macon, Savannah, Augusta, and the surrounding areas. ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- CHC:...
Healthy Savannah, East Georgia Cancer Coalition, and Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential join CHC to focus on vaccination equity to prevent cervical cancer in Macon, Savannah, Augusta, and the surrounding areas. ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- CHC:...
As a Wealth Advisor and Co-Founder of IntentGen Financial Partners, Zac Larson encourages his clients and colleagues to find meaningful ways to give back to their communities. Larson's love of cycling steered him on a creative path towards supporting local nonprofits through a Century...
As a Wealth Advisor and Co-Founder of IntentGen Financial Partners, Zac Larson encourages his clients and colleagues to find meaningful ways to give back to their communities. Larson's love of cycling steered him on a creative path towards supporting local nonprofits through a Century...
Nearly 400 pharmaceutical professionals weigh in on challenges and opportunities with introducing technological innovation, citing economic factors and regulatory concerns as key barriers. NORTH BETHESDA, Md., April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The International Society for...
Nearly 400 pharmaceutical professionals weigh in on challenges and opportunities with introducing technological innovation, citing economic factors and regulatory concerns as key barriers. NORTH BETHESDA, Md., April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The International Society for...
As a member of the Operation Homefront Board of Directors, Davidson will provide insight to an organization that has delivered $47 million in impactful programming to tens of thousands of military families facing financial hardships, particularly as they transition out of service back to...
The philanthropic organization has donated ROMA Boots totaling over $10 million to 34 countries across six continents and funded educational initiatives through its Buy One/Give One program. DALLAS, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- ROMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of ROMA Boots,...
As a member of the Operation Homefront Board of Directors, Davidson will provide insight to an organization that has delivered $47 million in impactful programming to tens of thousands of military families facing financial hardships, particularly as they transition out of service back to...
The philanthropic organization has donated ROMA Boots totaling over $10 million to 34 countries across six continents and funded educational initiatives through its Buy One/Give One program. DALLAS, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- ROMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of ROMA Boots,...
04/22/2024 Washington State Governor's Information Feed
The Office of the Governor is leading a delegation of about 46 business, government, port, industry, and education leaders on a five-day trade mission in Vietnam. The Washington State Department of Commerce and Washington State Department of Agriculture are supporting delegation activities as well.
The trade mission is April 8-12. Delegates will spend two-and-a-half days each in Hanoi in Ho Chi Minh City. Trade mission activities include bilateral meetings with Vietnamese leaders, visits to various manufacturing facilities and innovation centers, meetings with cultural and higher education leaders, as well as business networking and product promotion events. Much of the itinerary is focused on strengthening trade and collaboration opportunities in advanced technology sectors such as agriculture, clean energy and artificial intelligence.
Washington’s study and trade mission follows President Biden’s visit in September 2023 to announce the elevation of the United State’s relationship to Vietnam under the Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Vietnam is among the fastest-growing economies in Asia with several advanced manufacturing sectors setting up shop in the country. Washington companies with a presence in Vietnam include Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Brooks and SSA Marine. In 2023, Vietnam was Washington state’s 5th largest export market when including agriculture such as apples, wheat and dairy.
The United States and nine international partners launched the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with Vietnam in 2022 that provides investment and technical expertise to help Vietnam transition its energy sector and reach net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050.
The delegation includes Commerce Director Michael Fong, Agriculture Director Derek Sandison, Office of Financial Management Director David Schumacher, state senators Joe Nguyễn and June Robinson, and state representatives My-Linh Thai and Steve Tharinger. Gov. Jay Inslee had been scheduled to attend, but following a bout of pneumonia his doctor recommended no long-distance travel right now.
The Commerce delegation is focused on strengthening collaboration between Washington and Vietnam on advanced technology, renewable energy and clean technology, forestry, maritime, and a strong STEM workforce. The Agriculture delegation is focused on expanding business connections, promoting Washington food agricultural products, and learning more about opportunities in the Vietnamese market. Delegates represent products including wheat and wheat flour, apples, wine, cherries, and hay.
Funding for the trade mission comes from a combination of legislatively-approved appropriations and delegate fees.
AG Ferguson: Court orders repeat scammer Labor Law Poster Service to stop contacting and accepting payments from Washington businesses
Michigan defendants previously paid $1.2 million for similar scam
SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson won a court order today in his consumer protection lawsuit against Labor Law Poster Service and its Michigan-based owners, blocking the company from deceiving Washington businesses.
AG’s sex predator unit seeks to prevent release of Pierce County sex offender into community
TACOMA — The Washington Attorney General’s Office recently filed a petition in Pierce County Superior Court to civilly commit a sex offender and prevent his release to the community.
Federal judge rules that plastic surgeon acted illegally by restricting online reviews through the use of non-disclosure agreements
Allure Esthetic broke the law by forcing thousands of patients to sign non-disclosure agreements prior to any treatment
SEATTLE — A federal judge agreed with Attorney General Bob Ferguson, ruling that Seattle plastic surgery provider Allure Esthetic and its owner, Dr. Javad Sajan, illegally prevented patients from posting negative reviews about the business.
AG Ferguson announces DNA collection from more than 2,600 serious offenders
AG’s lawfully owed DNA project results in 2,681 DNA samples collected from offenders who previously failed to submit DNA as required by law
SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that more than 2,600 serious criminal offenders provided their DNA to law enforcement after previously failing to do so as required by law. As a result of Ferguson’s lawfully owed DNA project, these samples are now in a national DNA database critical to identifying perpetrators of unsolved rapes, murders and other violent crimes.
Today Gov. Jay Inslee announced the appointment of Whitney M. Rivera to the Snohomish County Superior Court. She is appointed to replace Judge Anita Farris, who will retire from the bench effective April 30, 2024.
In November 2020, Rivera was appointed to serve as the sole municipal court judge for Edmonds Municipal Court. She successfully ran for a four-year term in 2021 to retain her seat. As the Edmonds Municipal Court Presiding Judge, Rivera is responsible for hearing all criminal matters, traffic infractions, and administrative appeals, as well as for leading the management of the court’s operations. During her tenure, Rivera strengthened and built up the Community Court, which seeks to address many underlying issues that can cause an individual to become involved in the court system.
Prior to her current position as a judicial officer, Rivera served as a public defender with the Snohomish County Public Defender Association for over 12 years. In this role, she handled misdemeanor and felony cases, and also held a supervisory role in the misdemeanor unit. During her tenure as a public defender, she earned the respect of both her colleagues and opposing counsel. In addition, Rivera also served as an attorney for the Washington Appellate Project, representing indigent individuals on their direct appeals from convictions. Throughout her career, Rivera has been recognized by various organizations for her outstanding contributions, including the most recent Presidential Award in 2023 from the District and Municipal Court Judges Association.
Rivera has also been very active in her community. Since 2021, Rivera has served on the Edmonds College Foundation Board where she has focused her volunteer efforts on student scholarships and staff grant requests. In 2022, she was appointed to the Board of the Hazel Miller Foundation, which provides grants to organizations focused on a broad range of services, including education, youth services, diversity, and poverty alleviation. In 2023, she was appointed to the Edmonds Food Bank Board, which partners with the Edmonds Community Court to alleviate food insecurity.
“Whitney Rivera is a tireless, well-respected and experienced judicial officer and lawyer, and she is well prepared to serve the Snohomish County community in this role,” said Inslee. “I’m pleased that she will bring her integrity, work ethic, experience and compassion to the Snohomish County Superior Court bench.”
Rivera earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington. She earned her law degree from Boston College Law School.
04/02/2024 Washington State Governor's Information Feed
Gov. Jay Inslee announced today he is appointing David Schumacher, the director of Washington's Office of Financial Management, to the University of Washington Board of Regents. Schumacher replaces Jeremy Jaech who resigned his position on March 31. Schumacher will serve the remainder of Jaech's term, which expires September 30.
Schumacher has more than three decades of experience in management, budgeting and public policy. He began his career in state service in 1990, working for the state Department of Revenue for three years. He then worked for two years in OFM’s Forecasting Division. He worked for the Senate Ways & Means Committee for eight years before being named staff director in 2003.
In 2008 he joined The Boeing Company, working as its northwest government affairs director for two years. Schumacher returned to the Senate Ways & Means Committee as staff director in late 2010 before his appointment as director of OFM.
"Once a Husky, always a Husky. I look forward to helping the University of Washington remain a top choice for students worldwide as a member of the board of regents," said Schumacher. "It's an honor to take on this role. I am grateful to Governor Inslee for the opportunity."
"David brings a tremendous amount of talent and experience to the board of regents. His budgetary acumen and skillset as a manager will serve the university well," said Inslee. "David's passion for his alma mater and commitment to public service will also be an asset."
"I am grateful to Jeremy for his service to the University of Washington," Inslee added. "His expertise in the fields of software and technology and his insights across UW's diverse portfolio of responsibilities have been invaluable to the board of regents over the last 12 years."
Schumacher holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from the University of Washington. He and his wife, Katy, have two sons and live in Olympia.
OLYMPIA – Washington workers will gain protection against employers who seek to force them to attend meetings where they are required to listen to the employer’s opinions on religious or political matters, under the Employee Free Choice Act, signed into law Thursday.
SB 5778 makes Washington the sixth state in the nation to prohibit employers from disciplining or firing employees who refuse to attend such meetings. It simply allows an employee to keep working at their job rather than attend a “mandatory” meeting on political or religious matters.
“Workers are hired to do a job. Going to work should not obligate a worker to listen to their employer’s views on religious and political matters,” said Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), chair of the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee and prime sponsor of the bill.
Employers should not be able to force workers to attend political rallies promoting national political candidates, Keiser said, or to listen to anti-trans speakers, citing examples of inappropriate meetings. Under the bill, employers will also not be able to require workers to attend meetings where they are told that that attempts to unionize will lead to layoffs or loss of benefits.
Oregon, Connecticut, Minnesota, Maine and New York have passed similar laws.
The legislation does not prevent employers from requiring attendance at job training or training to reduce and prevent workplace harassment or discrimination.
“Nothing in this bill prevents an employer from saying what they want to say, it just doesn’t require an employee to listen,” said Keiser. “The bill simply protects the rights of workers by making religious or political meetings voluntary.”
“This is my last bill to become law, so I am very pleased Gov. Inslee is signing it today here in my district,” Keiser added.
Judge sentences Everett man to three years of supervised mental health treatment after animal cruelty prosecution by Attorney General’s Office
Sentenced for killing then displaying neighborhood wildlife and shooting a kitten in the eye
EVERETT — A Snohomish County Superior Court judge sentenced an Everett man on Wednesday following a criminal prosecution by Attorney General Bob Ferguson. The judge sentenced Blayne M. Perez to three years of community custody for mental health treatment. If he violates the terms of community custody, the court may send him to prison for three years and four months.
In case you missed it, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and other governors of the Reproductive Freedom Alliance issued a statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court hearing oral arguments in Food and Drug Administration, et al., v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the most significant abortion rights case since this same Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Inslee has been a leader on the fight to protect reproductive freedoms in the wake of the SCOTUS decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Inslee was the first governor to stockpile the abortion drug mifepristone ahead of the lower federal court ruling out of Texas that is now before the Supreme Court. If those seeking to block access to this long-proven medication succeed, Washington state has a 3-year supply it can still distribute in the state.
"Here we have a very safe product. It reduces the trauma women experience ending a pregnancy," said Inslee on the podcast Pantsuit Politics on Tuesday. "And yet these forces want to drag us back 100 years or so to ignore the clear science."
The governor has also helped pass legislation protecting consumer health data; a shield law protecting patients and providers from out-of-state prosecutions; and the elimination of cost-sharing for abortions to increase equitable access to services.
Inslee appeared on MSNBC this morning to talk about the significance of the mifepristone case as part of an ongoing assault on reproductive freedom being carried out by Republicans.
"We have to be observant, aggressive and protective of this freedom right, or it will be lost," Inslee told Chris Jansing.
Full press release from the Reproductive Freedom Alliance:
Reproductive Freedom Alliance Statement on FDA Authority & Access to Safe Abortion Medication Oral Arguments at U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Food and Drug Administration, et al., v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the most significant abortion rights case since this same Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. If the Supreme Court upholds the Fifth Circuit’s extreme ruling, severe impacts will be felt across the country: 1) there will be swift restrictions on access to the medication abortion, Mifepristone – one of two medications used in the most common medication abortion regimens in states where abortion is still legal, 2) undermine the Food and Drug Administration’s authority, 3) and hamstring the ability of Governors to protect the public health of their constituents.
“Any rollback on access to mifepristone would cause major disruptions to state health care systems, further strain providers, and pose serious health risks to millions of women,” said the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, a non-partisan coalition of 22 Governors committed to reproductive freedom.
The Alliance filed an amicus in the case, arguing that the Supreme Court could inflict enormous disruptions to state health care systems – and real harm to countless women – while also setting a dangerous precedent by allowing ideological extremists to overrule medical experts and decades of scientific evidence.
As the amicus notes, “If the Court affirms the decision below, the upshot will be harm all around: harm to women, particularly rural and low-income women, who will be required to visit in-person clinics simply to take a prescription medication, or may not be able to access mifepristone for abortion or miscarriage management at all; harm to providers, clinics, and health systems, who will be overwhelmed with demand; harm to Governors, whose critical tools to safeguard public health will be unnecessarily curbed; and harm to the public fisc, which will bear the brunt of many of the economic costs of the decision.”
A link to the full amicus brief can be found here.
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The Reproductive Freedom Alliance is a non-partisan coalition of 22 Governors committed to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom in our states. Members include: Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Delaware Governor John Carney, Guam Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero, Hawai'i Governor Josh Green, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.
OLYMPIA — Two omnibus bills to improve the response to survivors of sexual assault and child trafficking in Washington state’s legal system were signed into law Tuesday.
“This legislation rewrites our state’s laws to provide a truly victim-centered, trauma-informed response to survivors of sexual assault and child trafficking,” said Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond), prime sponsor of both bills. “Too often, the victims of gender-based violence are forgotten by our society. These bills increase support to help survivors get their own lives back on track as well as ensure justice is done.”
SB 5937 streamlines eligibility for crime victim benefits, covers some of victims’ costs for forensic examinations, expands protections to more victims, improves state and local teams to respond to sexual assault, and ensures that children ages 13 and up can consent to forensic sexual examinations and examinations for sexually transmitted infections, among other changes.
The legislation draws on the recommendations of the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Best Practices Advisory Group as well as the experiences of survivors and the knowledge of experts in the field.
SB 6006 addresses the neglected problem of child trafficking. Every year, 500 to 700 minors are forced into sex trafficking in Washington state. But over the past decade, fewer than 100 people have been prosecuted in Oregon and Washington for sex trafficking crimes.
Though the Legislature has made significant progress in recent years to increase support for survivors, Washington state received a C rating under new grading criteria used by Shared Hope International, the leading nonprofit working to eradicate sex trafficking.
SB 6006 implements Shared Hope’s recommendations to improve how the state identifies and responds to victims, provides victims with continued care, and enables victims to seek civil remedies for the wrongs done to them. It also makes Washington state law consistent with the federal Justice for Victims Trafficking Act so the state can continue to receive federal funding for anti-trafficking work.
“Children who are trafficked and sexually abused should not be criminalized simply because their abuse is paid for,” Dhingra said. “They are victims, not criminals.”
Currently, survivors of sex trafficking do not have the same rights and access to the services and support that survivors of childhood sexual assault do, Dhingra said. This bill would change that.
An amendment added in the House by Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) expanded the scope of the legislation. It now modifies current law to make prosecution more effective and reestablishes the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Statewide Coordinating Committee to oversee a unified statewide strategy.
“Current anti-trafficking law is failing Washington,” Orwall said. “It’s hard to use, and prosecutions are rare. By strengthening the law, we provide the legal system tools to fight trafficking and support victims.”
SB 5937 takes effect July 1, 2024, and SB 6006 July 1, 2025.
OLYMPIA – Unscrupulous lenders who are partnering with out-of-state banks to evade Washington’s limits on interest rates will have to cease their predatory practices or face sanctions, under legislation signed into law today.
SB 6025, sponsored by Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), makes any attempt to evade the provisions of Washington’s Consumer Loan Act a violation of the act.
“Our state’s Consumer Loan Act does a good job of protecting consumers and laying out clear standards for lenders and borrowers,” said Stanford. “But some companies are partnering with out-of-state banks and using structures that allow them to slip through a loophole and charge higher interest rates. This bill makes sure regulators can stop that and protect consumers in Washington from these predatory lenders.”
Some companies have been partnering with banks in Utah, which has no limits on interest rates, to offer high-interest loans to some of the most vulnerable populations in Washington state. Interest rates on these unregulated products reach well over 100 percent. Under SB 6025, that would no longer be allowed in Washington.
The changes to the Consumer Loan Act under the bill apply prospectively only and not to loans made before the bill’s effective date, unless the loan is renegotiated or modified afterward.