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The Official Newsletter of the
Washington State Women's Commission
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January 2025
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First Day of Session
The 2025 Legislative Session kicks off today, January 13th. This year's session is a long one, running for 105 days until April 27. What's special about this session? Not only will our 98 state representatives and 49 state senators be tackling important legislation, but they'll also be writing the state budget, which will guide spending for the next two years.
Washington State Women's Commission Legislative Priorities
Each session, Washington State Women's Commission staff and Commissioners track bills that will particularly impact the safety, health, and economic opportunity & security of women in the state. Below are our priorities for 2025.
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Ensuring Safety
for All Women
- Addressing gender-based violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking.
- Establishing safe community initiatives, including safe use of technology & preventing gun violence.
- Addressing the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
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Securing Critical Access to Women's Healthcare
- Addressing maternal health outcomes.
- Protecting access to reproductive autonomy and care.
- Establishing equitable behavioral and mental health services.
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Promoting Economic Security & Economic Opportunity
for All Women
- Strengthening preventative policies and practices for gender-based workplace harassment and discrimination.
- Building supportive and accessible systems for family care and education.
- Ensuring equitable employment opportunity, career advancement, and compensation.
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Follow Along with Us!
WSWC will be posting bi-weekly "Session Spotlights" highlighting bills that could significantly impact women- and are up for action. You can find these updates on our Instagram, Facebook, and website.
New Year, New Laws
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January 1st not only marked the first day of 2025, but the date of implementation for a number of laws passed through previous legislative sessions. Some new laws expand or create resources that could be vital for you or someone you know.
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Hope Card Program
Individuals with active protection orders in Washington State can now opt into the Hope Card Program.
Hope Cards are wallet-sized, laminated cards containing all the essential information law enforcement may need in case of a violation. The goal of the program is to reduce the burden on survivors of carrying a physical copy with them at all times and increase enforcement of protection orders.
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Expanding Emergency Financial Support
Families in crisis who qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) can now receive more funds through the Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA) program.
The program now offers up to $2,000 per family once every 12 months to help with expenses such as medical bills, housing, transportation, childcare, and medical bills.
Paid Sick Leave
Expansion: Workers can use paid sick leave to care for more individuals, including household members and those with whom they have a caregiving relationship.
Emergency Leave: Paid sick leave can be taken if a child’s school or daycare closes due to an emergency.
Addressing Primary Care Provider Shortage
This law will allow physician assistants to more freely provide care, with the collaboration (rather than the supervision) of doctors.
Physician assistants still must be under a doctor’s supervision until they have 4,000 hours of experience. After that they no longer need direct supervision, only a “collaborative agreement” with a doctor. In underserved areas, the most experienced physician assistants will have even more autonomy in how they practice. (Seattle Times)
ID Cards Upon Release
This new law requires the state to provide identification to people upon release from state-run prisons, psychiatric hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.
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Click for the full 2023-2024 Biennial Report
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