Legislative Session Week 3
January 26, 2018 • 5 minutes to read
600 at Nurse Legislative Day, sexual assault nurses and first cutoff
Olympia was buzzing with energy and engagement on Monday when 600 nurses and nursing students participated in Nurse Legislative Day! Nurses shared their stories about why #breaks4nurses are needed this session.
In this week’s update:
- Nurse Legislative Day – highlights and video recap
- Rest Breaks Bill – take it to social media
- Changes to Community Health Workers bill
- Bills addressing sexual assault
- First cutoff of the 2018 Session
WSNA’s 2018 Legislative Priorities can be found here.
600 at Nurse Legislative Day!
Who shows up for patient safety? Nurses!
WSNA once again held the largest lobby day in Olympia with 600 nurses arriving at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in the early morning hours on Monday, Jan. 22. Nurses and nursing students were trained on WSNA’s priority issues, celebrated the 2017 Legislative Nursing Champions and listed to remarks by Governor Inslee.
In the afternoon, nurses and nursing students took to the hill to meet with legislators. It was a powerful day as nurses spoke with one voice on issues like meal and rest breaks!
Rest Breaks Bill: Take it to social media
We made a lot of noise about #Breaks4Nurses on Monday – let’s keep it up. Visit our website for Click to Tweets and other social media posts.
It’s not too soon to ask your Senator to support HB 1715 as it moves over to the Senate.
Changes to Community Health Workers bill
Last week, WSNA Legislative & Health Policy Council member Justin Gill testified about WSNA’s concerns on HB 2436, which defines Community Health Workers. We appreciated the bill sponsor, Rep. June Robinson (D-38), working with us to address those concerns. This week, Substitute House Bill 2436 passed out of the House Health Care Committee.
Bill addressing sexual assault nurse examiners
WSNA provided testimony in support of HB 2101 on Friday morning. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Gina McCabe (R-14), seeks to bring Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner training to local communities, and it requires the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy to develop best practices to serve sexual assault survivors in local communities.
Martha Phillips, BSN, RN, is a WSNA member and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner serving both Whatcom and Skagit Counties. She and her colleague, Stephanie Walgren, BSN, RN, provided written testimony for this morning’s hearing. Here is an excerpt from Martha’s testimony:
First cutoff of the 2018 Session
Feb. 2 marks the first cutoff of the 2018 legislative session. Bills must be voted out of policy committees by this date or they will be dead.
Please look for regular email updates on legislative action as session is underway – we look forward to your participation in the process!