March 14, 2025
Dear friends, supporters, and allies,
Here’s a quick recap and status check on each bill:
- HB 1427 (Rep. Davis) – Passed the House on March 11 and has been referred to Senate Health and Long-Term Care. This bill is moving forward, and we’re now waiting for it to be considered by the Senate.
- HB 5227 (Sen. Orwall) – Unfortunately, this bill did not come out of Senate Rules. However, the Senate Majority Leader has expressed support for running it next year, so it might have another chance.
- SB 5356 (Sen. Orwall) – This bill has passed the Senate and is scheduled for a hearing in House Community Safety on March 17th. It’s on track for further discussion and could advance after the hearing.
- SB 5105 (Sen. Orwall) – Like SB 5356, this bill has passed the Senate and also has a hearing in House Community Safety on March 17th. Both bills will be heard together, which is good for their progress.
- SB 5330 (Sen. Dhingra) – This bill, which would require rape drug kits in bars and lounges, has been held by Sen. Dhingra due to concerns about the reliability of the kits. It’s unclear if it will move forward, pending those concerns being addressed.
- SB 5362 (Sen. Dhingra) – This bill did not pass out of Ways and Means, but there is likely to be funding for DV, SA, and other services in the biennial budget. While the bill itself didn’t progress, the funding aspect may still be addressed in the budget.
The next important deadline is the April 2nd cutoff for bills to be passed out of their assigned policy committees in the opposite house, so keep an eye on those deadlines to track any updates.
Please contact [email protected] with any questions
Thank you for your support!
WASE FORWARD MEMBERS
To See all our updates go to the “2025 Bills We Are Supporting” page.
Mission: WASE Forward is a Washington initiative to promote policies and practices that enhance support and justice for people with lived experience of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.
WASE Forward proposes and supports legislation to reduce sex trafficking and exploitation in Washington State.
WASE Forward mobilizes a statewide network of CSE experts and grassroots advocates to strengthen policies and systems for people experiencing sex trafficking and exploitation.
WASE Forward educates policy-makers and the public about proven solutions to reduce sex trafficking and exploitation
in Washington state.
Law targeting drug-related criminal activity passes City Council, City Council News Releases, September 17, 2024
A bill passed Seattle City Council that would hold buyers and traffickers accountable for the violence and trauma they perpetrate on our community and individuals making it a misdemeanor to “Promote Loitering for the Purpose of Prostitution” and provide intervention through prefiling diversion for the victims of human trafficking.
Although this bill has passed which is not perfect or a fix all to an extremely nuanced problem, I stood in support of this bill. I worked to amend portions of the bill along with anti-trafficking leaders in my community.
Now it is time to hold Seattle City Council accountable in Budget season to fund much needed services.
There is no place in my community or anywhere for that matter for human trafficking to claim the lives of our most vulnerable.
WASE Forward
StrongerTogether
Substitute Senate Bill 5114
WASE Forward is thrilled to announce that Governor Inslee signed Substitute Senate Bill 5114 on May 4, 2023, providing an infusion of funding for culturally responsive and survivor-centered programs that will support adults who have experienced sex trafficking in Washington. This bill was written specifically by and for survivors of adult sex trafficking and marks a significant milestone for WASE Forward. We’re honored to have played a role in bringing this legislation to fruition and remain committed to advancing the well-being of survivors in Washington.
In 2023 SSB 5114 passed to support adults, over the age of 18, with lived experience of sex trafficking by funding Healing ,Support and Transition Services. Adults are eligible for support and services if they have experienced sex trafficking as an adult or as a child or youth (under the age of 18).
Healing, support and transition services mean safe and trauma-informed services that are tailored to the self determined needs of each individual.
Download the “Healing Support & Transition Services Purpose & Services Provided” and for more information on the 12 recipients. | PDF.
WASE Forward is proud to be recognized as the 2022 Organization Human Rights Leader by the Seattle Human Rights Commission.
We are a grassroots movement working to strengthen policies and systems for those experiencing sex trafficking and exploitation. We advocate and amplify human rights by lifting up the voices of our most vulnerable communities in Washington state.