Rep. Dan Bronoske

Maddy summaryHB 2405 establishes a pilot program to fund workplace behavioral health initiatives focused on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment and research for workers in high-risk occupations. It directs the Department of Labor & Industries to use funds from the workers' compensation medical aid fund to support projects addressing PTSD prevention, trauma-informed reintegration, and mental health programs in workplaces with repetitive trauma exposure. The program specifically allocates resources for innovative return-to-work initiatives targeting PTSD, requiring projects to address occupational PTSD risks identified through department collaboration. This pilot is part of broader workers' compensation funding priorities and does not change existing medical coverage standards for injured workers.

Maddy summaryHB 2360 allows Washington public and private schools to maintain a stock supply of albuterol (a medication for asthma symptoms) for student use, without requiring individual prescriptions for each instance. Schools must obtain a prescription and standing order from a health professional, and only school nurses or trained staff can administer it according to existing asthma management protocols. The bill protects school staff from liability when following proper procedures and gives employees the option to decline managing albuterol without job penalties. It does not change current rules for students who already have personal albuterol prescriptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1069 amends Washington state law to allow collective bargaining between public employers and employee organizations regarding contributions for certain supplemental retirement benefits. Currently, state law prevents bargaining over retirement plans and benefits administered by the Department of Retirement Systems. This bill clarifies that employers can now negotiate over contributions for additional retirement benefits, including medical plans, as long as these benefits are administered by or on behalf of an employee organization. This change enables discussions over these specific benefit contributions, while still excluding the core state retirement plans from collective bargaining.

Maddy summaryHB 1128 creates a Washington state Child Care Workforce Standards Board to set minimum compensation and employment standards for child care workers. The board, composed of nine members including worker representatives (from family child care, center workers, and school-age programs), employer representatives, parent advocates, and state agency officials, will address low pay and poor working conditions that contribute to workforce instability. It requires the board to hold public hearings, establish standards with a six-member vote, and protect workers from retaliation for participating in the process. The law aims to improve child care quality and affordability by ensuring fair compensation and stable employment for workers directly serving children.

Maddy summaryHB 2441 requires Washington state to reimburse surviving spouses or domestic partners for medical insurance premiums after a public safety officer or first responder dies "in the course of employment" (as defined by the Department of Labor & Industries). The bill covers premiums for state health plans, Medicare Part A/B, and COBRA insurance, starting from the date of death until the line-of-duty status is confirmed. Survivors must maintain Medicare Part A and B enrollment to qualify for reimbursement, and the reimbursement amount cannot exceed what would be paid under COBRA. This applies only to deaths classified as line-of-duty, not all deaths.

Maddy summaryHB 2479 streamlines the process for workers to recover unpaid wages in Washington State. It requires the Department of Labor to investigate wage complaints within 60 days (extendable with notice), limits claims to unpaid wages from the past three years, and mandates employers to pay owed wages plus 1% monthly interest. For willful violations, employers face fines of at least $1,500 or 10% of unpaid wages (adjusted for inflation starting 2030), with penalties deposited into a new "wage recovery account." The bill directly affects workers who haven’t received pay and employers who owe wages, while giving the department expanded authority to investigate multiple violations under a single complaint.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally recognizes Representative Virginia "Jenny" Graham for her public service in the Washington State House of Representatives. It highlights her eight-year tenure, her advocacy for public safety, and her work on community safety and veterans' issues. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of her contributions and legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally honors John Michael Sattgast for his 35 years of dedicated service as a communications professional for the House Republican Caucus in the Washington State Legislature. It recognizes his work producing over 4,000 radio stories and coordinating media coverage for state representatives, as well as his leadership roles with the National Conference of State Legislatures. The resolution acknowledges his contributions to sharing legislative history and public information, noting his receipt of the 2023 Legislative Staff Achievement Award. This measure serves as a commemorative tribute rather than establishing new policy or affecting government operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally acknowledges the service of Representative Steve Tharinger to his district and the Washington state legislature. It recognizes his long career in public service, including his time as a Clallam County Commissioner, his work on the House Capital Budget Committee, and his advocacy for environmental protection and healthcare. The resolution serves as a commemorative tribute to his contributions and personal qualities rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2133 makes permanent a property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers that was originally established temporarily in 2017. The bill modifies state law to ensure these centers no longer lose their tax exemption after the temporary period ends, directly affecting qualifying senior centers that provide community services. This change removes the temporary nature of the exemption created under Chapter 301, Laws of 2017, ensuring ongoing tax relief for these facilities.