Every year there’s a boatload of new stuff coming out of the state legislature and 2023 was no exception, with over 450 laws passed. A lot of those kicked in over the summer but some didn’t take effect until this January. There are definitely some that might be of interest so we wanted to pass them along to you.
Here are Five Fast Facts about new laws for 2024:
- 🚬 The Green Stuff - A new law prevents employers from using marijuana drug tests as part of a hiring decision. They can still test for other drugs, and they can still use such tests if there is suspicion of impairment at work. There are some exceptions for workers like police or firefighters. And we’re good with that!
- ⏲️ Hurry Up And Wait - Purchasing a gun in Washington State will now include waiting 10 business days after the background check is completed. Buyers will also have to take a safety course within five years of the purchase.
- 👍 Better Ratios - The nursing shortage has been a BIG problem, but a new bill aims to improve safety through the ratio of nurses to patients. Each hospital will have to form a committee (including nurses) to approve staffing plans that will get submitted to the state Department of Health. Starting in 2027, hospitals can be fined if they don’t follow their plans closely enough. The only question is why it took this long to get it done!
- 🗳️ Voting Rights Modification - A law was passed in 2018 to address “polarization” of voting groups in a community and to allow local governments to change their election systems to adjust as needed. Voters could sue if that didn’t happen. This year’s law makes it easier for those voters to address problems with the election systems, and to recover costs spent in legal challenges. Seems like a bit of a mess waiting to happen, if you ask us.
- 💨 Fast And Furious - Another new law cracks down on street racing, with stiffer impounding penalties and allowing for those helping street racers to be charged, too. Aaaaand that sound you just heard was Vin Diesel leaving the state.
🔥Bottom line: Some of these seem like good, common sense things and some seem a bit more, well, a bit sketchy. But hey, the best thing about living in a democratic system is that if things aren’t working out they can be changed.
What do you think about Washington’s new laws?
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