2025 Legislative Priorities
We want to acknowledge that every issue is a 2SLGBTQIA+ issue. 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals are impacted on every level of policy.
These are just a selection of our top priorities, and are subject to updates as the legislative session continues!
Check out the LGBTQ Commission for all the pro & anti 2SLGBTQIA+ bills they are tracking, with updates on where bills are at in the legislative process!
Top Priorities 2025
Trans Rights
Education
From Gender Justice League: “SB 5123 updates and expands upon the types of discrimination that are prohibited in WA public schools. SB 5123 adds that discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, gender identity, homelessness, immigration status, and neurodivergence are prohibited in WA public schools. The bill also adds definitions for these words, and newly distinguishes gender expression and gender identity as separate from sexual orientation.” "Should SB 5123 pass, discrimination in WA public schools would be prohibited on the basis of “race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, immigration status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.”
From Gender Justice League: “SB 5179 aims to ensure that all school boards follow the state anti-discrimination policies. By holding school boards accountable, this bill will help foster safer and more equitable learning environments for queer and Trans students, and all marginalized youth. This legislation aims to protect students from discrimination and harassment by adding transparency, training, and reporting protocols. This bill comes at a critical time as we anticipate that some schools may not follow state laws pertaining to nondiscrimination in schools as they apply to Trans students in particular.“
From Gender Justice League: “SB 5180 takes the next step in building inclusive schools by expanding access to resources and training for educators. This bill ensures that curricula, policies, and practices reflect the diversity of student populations, including the unique challenges and needs of Trans and gender expansive students.” “This bill specifically requires school policies to include the following students’ rights: to be referred to by preferred name and pronouns; to participate in school sports or activities in a manner consistent with their gender; and to dress in a manner consistent with their gender. It also specifically requires that school personnel/contractors may not disclose any info related to a students’ sexual orientation or gender to anyone without the students consent.“
From Gender Justice League: “Passed in the last legislative session, I-2081 created a “Parent’s Bill of Rights” that undermines Trans students’ autonomy and self-determination by allowing parents to opt students out of sex education and any education, assignments, or topics related to either “sexuality” or Critical Race Theory. In its original form, I-2081 also functions to erode students’ privacy when receiving counseling or medical care in school by granting parents access to these school records. As if it wasn’t bad enough, with its lack of a path for implementation, the initiative’s vague and confusing language could lead districts to adopt policies that violate state and federal protections for students.” “SB 5181 amends I-2081, aka the “Parent’s Bill of Rights,” to bring it into alignment with existing law. Importantly, SB 5181 strengthens students’ rights to speak to teachers and counselors by opening up a pathway for memory-aiding notes to be kept that do not count as school records for the purpose of disclosing information to parents that the student did not consent to.” “For Trans youth in particular, who too often face familial and societal rejection, ensuring their well-being and respecting their confidentiality in educational settings can be life-saving. Furthermore, ensuring student privacy creates environments where young people have multiple trusted adults to disclose abuse and neglect they may be experiencing, and this bill creates those opportunities by protecting students’ privacy.”
From Gender Justice League: “The Safety Act (HB 1296) also amends I-2081 (the “Parent’s Bill of Rights”) by strengthening students’ right to privacy, extending protections for Trans youth, and adding a new statement of student rights.” “Similarly to SB 5181, HB 1296 strengthens students’ right to privacy by allowing medical and counseling records to be kept private, rather than accessible to parents without the student’s consent, as in the original I-2081.” “Importantly, the Safety Act also adds a new statement of student rights, which specifically names that students are entitled to the rights outlined in the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence—including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, freedom to due process, and so on; as well as the rights to all WA State constitutional protections.”
Healthcare
Jails/Incarceration
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PRO: HB 1604 - Providing parameters for conducting searches of transgender and intersex individuals confined in a local jail in compliance with federal law.
Healthcare
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PRO: HB 1677 - Funding for Clinics: Update Medicaid Rates for Reproductive and Sexual Health
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From Pro-Choice Washington: "To ensure our clinics can maintain access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health care services, Pro-Choice Washington and partners urge lawmakers to update Medicaid rates for these services."
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"Washington is a national leader in protecting the legal right to abortion care. Yet, a lack of funding for care puts clinics at risk of closure, increases patient wait times, and limits options for rural patients. To continue being an abortion sanctuary state, the legislature must invest in our clinics to ensure all patients can access the care they need."
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"The state’s 2021 investment for Medicaid rates for sexual and reproductive health services was critical to the sustainability for the reproductive health care safety net and prevented clinics from closing. To ensure the program remains impactful and sustainable, Pro-Choice Washington urges lawmakers to update these rates."
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PRO: SB 5632 - Strengthening Washington’s Shield Law
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From Pro-Choice Washington: "In 2023, Washington’s Shield Law (HB 1469) was passed to protect providers, patients, and helpers from being criminalized for providing or accessing abortion or gender-affirming care in Washington state. This year, Pro-Choice Washington requests that lawmakers close loopholes and expand protections in the Shield Law to ensure that our state continues to be a place where people can access the health care they need, without the risk of criminalization."
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"A second Trump administration will leverage federal law and funding to target gender-affirming and reproductive health care. It is critical lawmakers update the Shield Law to continue the state’s significant progress to protect providers, helpers, and patients seeking medical care in Washington."
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PRO: SB 5093/HB 1333 - Dignity in Pregnancy Loss Bill
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From Pro-Choice Washington: "Dignity in Pregnancy Loss Bill will ensure every Washingtonian who experiences a pregnancy loss (miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death) retains the ability to make decisions about how they will handle their own pregnancy loss without threat of criminalization and has access to services and resources they need."
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"When a person experiences pregnancy loss, they should never have to worry about criminalization. However, since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, over 200 patients nationwide were charged with crimes related to their pregnancy outcomes. In Washington, as elsewhere in the U.S., Indigenous and Black women are more likely to experience stillbirth, miscarriage, and neonatal death due to persistent disparities in maternal health outcomes because of systemic racism. Incarcerated pregnant people also experience higher rates of miscarriage and stillbirth."
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"The Dignity in Pregnancy Loss Bill affirms the rights of patients and protects against the erosion of civil rights in states hostile to abortion."
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PRO: SB 5321/HB 1677 - Medication Abortion on College Campuses
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From Pro-Choice Washington: "This bill would require public colleges and universities in Washington state to provide medication abortion through student health centers."
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"Student health centers are important sources of health care for university students, particularly sexual and reproductive care. Providing abortion care on college campuses can effectively reduce barriers to care for students. This bill will expand access for college students, and also alleviate wait times, strain, and demand on local clinics and resources."
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Housing
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PRO HB 1217 - Rent Stabilization
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Improving housing stability for tenants subject to the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act by limiting rent and fee increases, requiring notice of rent and fee increases, limiting fees and deposits, establishing a landlord resource center and associated services, authorizing tenant lease termination, creating parity between lease types, and providing for attorney general enforcement. See Washington Low Income Housing Alliance for more information.
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PRO HB 1380 - Protecting the rights of people experiencing homelessness
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A recent federal Supreme Court ruling makes it easier for local governments to fine, arrest, and otherwise punish people for surviving outdoors, even if there is no adequate shelter available. The state should prevent local governments from implementing and enforcing local laws that punish people experiencing homelessness.
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Police Accountability
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In solidarity with Washington Coalition for Police Accountability, we support all four bills they are advocating in their 2025 Legislative Priorities.
Voter Equity
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PRO: HB 1710 - The bill emphasizes the importance of protecting the voting rights of marginalized groups and ensures that any changes to electoral processes do not diminish their ability to participate in the political process.
Immigration
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PRO: HB 1232 - Designed to give the State Dept of Health more power to inspect private detention facilities and maintain a basic level of human dignity.