||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF |||
As spring turns into summer, and the warm sun graces our beautiful state, I wanted to take a moment to connect with you and provide an update on our legislative efforts. With the policy and budgetary processes settling into a slower pace, we have shifted our focus towards implementation, impact assessment, and preparations for the upcoming session. This season presents a great opportunity for us to engage further, strengthen our community bonds, and work together towards enhancing public safety in our region.
During this time, I encourage you to reach out if you have project sites that you would like me to tour or if you would like to discuss the pressing matters affecting our community. As always, my legislative assistant is available to help coordinate and schedule any visits or meetings. Whether it’s sharing your insights, concerns, or ideas, I value the opportunity to connect directly with you and gain a deeper understanding of the issues that matter most to our constituents.
In this edition of our e-Newsletter, we will be focusing on the paramount topic of public safety. We will highlight the progress we have made in advocating for the well-being of our communities, discuss recently enacted legislation, and shed light on ongoing initiatives that aim to create safer environments for all. It is our shared commitment to ensure that every person feels secure, protected, and empowered within our great state.
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Special Session: Addressing the Blake Decision
After continued negotiations with all four caucuses in the Legislature, the governor called us in for a special session last week to craft new drug possession laws for our state.
As many of you know, the Washington State Supreme Court’s ruling in State v. Blake overturned the state’s felony drug possession law, creating a gap in policy that was set to expire on July 1. With the expiration approaching, several cities and counties had announced their intent to pass their own ordinances, potentially leading to a confusing patchwork of policies, treatment options, and penalties. Recognizing the need for clarity and stability in our communities, it was imperative for us to act.
I am pleased to share that the legislature successfully passed a new drug possession law during the special session. We deliberated on various approaches to ensure that individuals struggling with substance use disorders receive the necessary support and services, while also addressing the public safety concerns associated with drug possession. Our efforts have resulted in a law that strives to strike this delicate balance.
The new law (SB 5536) ramps up recovery support that is proven to work, builds out low-barrier access to treatment, and provides avenues for accountability with plenty of off-ramps to treatment. To limit the exposure to the criminal justice system for those suffering from substance use disorder, the law caps incarceration time to 6 months for the first two offenses and financial penalties to $1,000. It also keeps local jurisdictions from penalizing drug paraphernalia, something they can currently do today.
This new law recognizes that substance use disorder is a public health problem and deserves a public health response. True accountability begins with connection to community, support, and services.
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Intervention Saves Lives
Our community has shown an incredible amount of resilience over the last few years. At the same time, statewide challenges have revealed shortfalls and gaps in our behavioral health system. My colleagues and I passed legislation to coordinate 911 calls with the new 988 behavioral health emergency system. Intervention at the right time, by the right person, may prevent suicide or calm a crisis. When someone is in immediate danger, dialing 988 offers immediate support. This system was implemented last year, allowing folks to call 988 to connect to crisis services, suicide prevention resources, and mental health professionals as needed.
The CDC recently reported that Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native people have the highest suicide rates overall and have had the biggest increase (26%) between 2018 and 2021. This underscores the burden of suicide in the U.S., and in particular the growing burden among youth, Indigenous communities, and all communities of color. The 988 helpline registered 154,585 more calls, texts and chat messages during November 2022 compared to the old national lifeline in November 2021, according to the latest data available. This also underscores the value of this work: the 988 mental health crisis line is saving lives.
Here are some other free resources recommended by local health experts if you or someone that you know needs some support:
- The Crisis Text Line provides confidential and secure text access from anywhere in the U.S. to a trained crisis counselor. Text HOME to 741741.
- Teen Link offers confidential support from trained volunteers to teens about any issue, no matter how big or small, in English and Spanish. Call or text 866-833-6546
- National Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
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Empowering our law enforcement
A few years ago, the Legislature passed a bill prohibiting law enforcement from vehicular pursuit without probable cause. This was done to prevent dangerous high-speed chases that put innocent lives at risk. However, we’ve heard feedback from so many of you that public safety is one of your greatest priorities right now—and that much of the community supports vehicular pursuits when law enforcement has reasonable suspicion that a suspect(s) were involved in specific criminal activity.
I understand the importance of empowering our officers to protect our cities. There are situations where suspects pose a significant danger to the public, and our officers need to be able to act quickly to apprehend them. The new bill that we passed will allow law enforcement to engage in vehicle pursuits when there is a reasonable suspicion that the occupant has committed a violent crime or poses an imminent threat to public safety.
I know this is a highly divisive issue, but I believe that we have struck a balance between protecting our communities and ensuring public safety. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that our law enforcement officers have the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.
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Curbing gun violence
I am proud to have supported House Bill 1240, which has been signed into law: The passage of this bill is a major step towards reducing the risk of harm to Washingtonians and ensuring our children have a brighter, safer future.
The bill limits the prospective sale of assault weapons in our state. It is heartbreaking to see our communities continue to experience the devastating effects of gun violence, and the statistics speak for themselves. In just the first 88 days of 2023, there have already been over 130 mass shootings nationwide, and over 85% of fatalities were caused by assault rifles. We cannot allow this to continue.
Assault weapons have no place in our communities. They are designed for the sole purpose of killing as many people as possible as quickly as possible. We cannot allow these weapons of war to continue to wreak havoc on our streets, in our schools, and in our homes. By passing this bill, we are taking a stand against gun violence and working to save lives. I am proud to have been a part of this effort, and I will continue to fight for common-sense gun safety measures that keep our communities safe.
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Uplifting Safety and Justice
In our pursuit to safeguard the well-being of our communities, it is essential that we acknowledge, prioritize, and uplift the safety of all communities, especially those that have suffered historical injustices. I am proud to announce that House Bill 1177 has been signed into law by Governor Inslee. This remarkable achievement marks a significant stride towards tackling the urgent crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women in our state.
For far too long, Indigenous mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters have been torn from their families, leaving a heartbreaking void in the lives of their loved ones. The statistics are staggering, with Native women experiencing violence at alarmingly higher rates than the national average and being murdered at rates over ten times greater than the national average. Many of these cases have remained unsolved or unreported, perpetuating the pain and injustice endured by Indigenous communities.
Recognizing the urgent need to act, I have been steadfast in my commitment to advocating for the safety and well-being of Indigenous people in Washington State. Last year, I sponsored legislation that paved the way for a first-of-its-kind task force and alert system to aid in the identification and location of missing Indigenous women and individuals. Building upon that foundation, House Bill 1177 establishes a Cold Case Investigations Unit within the Office of the Attorney General. This unit will work collaboratively with law enforcement agencies to help solve cold cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women and people.
The passing of this bill signifies our unwavering dedication to ensuring justice for those whose cases have remained unresolved for far too long. With a focus on providing assistance to jurisdictions lacking sufficient resources to investigate cold cases, the Unit will play a vital role in bridging the gaps that hindered progress in the past. In addition, the legislation mandates the inclusion of an advocate or case navigator, specifically trained in culturally appropriate and trauma-informed practices. This individual will work closely with the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and people, serving as a crucial liaison between investigators and the affected families.
At its core, House Bill 1177 exemplifies our collective responsibility to support, protect, and uplift every community within our great state. It is a call to action, urging us to stand together and demand better for the safety of Indigenous people in Washington. We must value the lives of Indigenous women and ensure that they are afforded the respect and dignity they deserve. This legislation is a testament to our commitment to making sure that every life matters, including mine.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our shared mission of building a stronger and safer Washington State. Together, we can make a difference.
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Together, we can make a difference in addressing the challenges we face and building a safer and more resilient community. I look forward to hearing from you and collaborating with you as we work towards our shared goal of creating a secure and inclusive future for everyone.
Wishing you a safe and enjoyable summer.
