Visit http://leg.wa.gov/ to find your Washington State legislators and their contact information.

/march-for-life
/respect-life

St. Stephen's Legislative Advocacy Ministry works to provide understanding of Catholic social teachings relative to important legislative matters, at both the state and national levels, and to promote action consistent with church teaching.  Our focus is on issues that most directly impact the family - the "vital cell of society." 

Legislative Advocacy Ministry meets the 2nd Monday of every month at 7:30pm (after 6:30 Mass) in the Parish Office Conference Room.  The next meeting is Monday, March 11th, 2019.   All are welcome.

With the results of the 2017 & 2018 elections, there is no more 'balance of power' in Olympia.   The political pressures against Life, the family, marriage, human sexuality, and our religious freedoms are increasing (see attached "SB6219 Governor's summmary of Inequities in Reproductive Health Access" under Downloadable Documents to the left).  We are now in the early phase of the 2019 legislative session that started on Jan 14th and runs through May 10th.  Please join our efforts!

2019 Legislation & Advocacy in Olympia, WA
-------------------------------

OPPOSE Senate Bill 5602 Eliminating Barriers to Reproductive Health Care for All.  This is the result of Gov Inslee's Jan 2019 Report to provide abortion and contraception to anyone residing in our state, as well as pay for sex changes, etc.  THIS IS REALLY BAD (https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5602&Initiative=false&Year=2019 ).  A public hearing was held on Feb 15th in Olympia before the Senate Health & Long Term Care committee.  Next step is likely to be a vote of this committee, any day now; contact these committee members ASAP!! (http://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/HLTC/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx )

OPPOSE SB 5356  to establish the Washington state LGBTQ commission. This legislation is designed to permanently eliminate your constitutional right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion (https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5356&Initiative=false&Year=2019 ).  A public hearing was held last Friday before the Senate committee on State Government...  During this same hearing, the committee took comments on SB 5342 to create "a nonbinary gender category"  https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5342&Initiative=false&Year=2019 ) .  This Senate committee has scheduled an Executive Session to vote on this legislation for Feb 20th; please contact the members of this committee to OPPOSE passage of these bills ( http://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/SGTE/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx )

OPPOSE SB 5744 on 'sexually exploited children' as written, this bill has some key flaws: 1) it makes 'under-age' prostitution legal, and 2) it provides no means for these children to be re-connected with their families.  These would need to be corrected before approving.  The Senate committee on Human Services held their public hearing on Feb 14th, and have scheduled their Executive session for Feb 19th  to vote this bill out of committee.  Please contact the members of this committee quickly to insist on the above changes to this harmful legislation ( http://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/HSRR/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx )

OPPOSE SB 5395 'Comprehensive sexual health education' - this bill would supersede the rights of parents and local school boards to determine what is taught in public schools regarding sex 'education'.  This bill would allow the state of WA to mandate what is taught to children -- 'comprehensive and inclusive'.  You are encouraged to read the current version of this bill (listed to the left under Downloadable Documents), as well as the applicable existing state law - specifically defintion # 26 (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.60.040 ).  Please contact your state senator on the Early Learning and K-12 Education committee to oppose this (http://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/EDU/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx ).  A public hearing was held on Feb 13th before the Senate Education committee; next step is likely to be a vote of this committee, any day now; contact these committee members ASAP!! A similar bill (HB 1407) is also under consideration in the House Education committee; so notify your state Rep as well of your opposition to this bill ( http://leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/ED/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx )

OPPOSE SB5411 for "Physician Assistants to perform abortions".  The Senate committee on Health & Long Term Care held their public hearing on Feb 8th; an Executive Session to vote this bill out of committee could be any day now.  Please contact the members of this committee ASAP to state your opposition! (http://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/HLTC/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx )

SUPPORT SB 5339 for repeal of the death penalty.  This bill was voted on and passed in the full Senate on Feb 15th; it now moves to the House.

The following "pro-life" bills are, unfortunately, not likely to even get a committee hearing because of the make-up of the legislative bodies in Olympia.  But our friends keep trying!
 

SUPPORT SB 5185 'Parental Notification'  - this bill would require a 48 hour advance notification to the parents before a minor has a abortion.  As parent's hold the primary responsibility and obligation for the well-being of their children, they have a basic and fundamental right to know in advance if their minor daughter is considering something as serious and irreversible as an abortion.  This bill is before the senate Law & Justice committee; please contact your state senator on this committtee to encourage passage.  (http://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/LAW/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx )

SUPPORT HB 1526, also known as the 'Washington Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act', bans abortions of unborn children old enough to experience pain. The bill states that "there is substantial medical evidence that an unborn child is capable of experiencing pain by twenty weeks after fertilization." The bill has been assigned to the House Health Care & Wellness Committee

SUPPORT HB 1560 that prohibits certain types of abortions, specifically dilation and extraction abortions after the 10^th week of pregnancy. The bill has been assigned to the House Health Care & Wellness Committee

SUPPORT SB 5721 that establishes regulation of abortion facilities and a licensing process for such facilities to meet. It also authorizes the state Department of Health to conduct surveys of abortion facilities. The bill imposes certain requirements on physicians who perform abortions.  The bill is before the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee.
 

Advocacy in Washington, DC
------------------------
Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
The U.S. Senate recently failed to adopt by unanimous consent the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act-legislation that would ensure that a child born alive following an abortion would receive the same degree of care to preserve her life and health as would be given to any other child born alive at the same gestational age. The next day, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, chair of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, sent a letter to the U.S. Senate urging it to bring the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to a floor vote and support the common-sense legislation that would protect infants who survived abortion attempts.  Please contact Sen. Mitch McConnell's office, the Senate Majority Leader, requesting a full Senate floor vote.

End Religious Tests for Federal Nominees
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, chairman of the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty, sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee asking senators not to impose a religious test for public office. The letter reads in part: "In recent months, multiple nominees to the federal judiciary have been interrogated about their membership in the Knights of Columbus, with the implication that participation in the largest Catholic fraternal organization in the country ... could be disqualifying. Not only are religious tests unconstitutional and unjust, they are an attack on all people of faith and those with no faith at all."  Please contact Sen. Lindsey Graham's office, chairman  of the Judiciary Committee.
 

Latest HHS Rules on Religious & Moral Exemptions and Accommodation for Coverage...under the ACA the President's Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued these new rules on November 7, 2018 "... that provide conscience protections to Americans who have a religious or moral objection to health insurance that covers contraceptive methods, including contraceptives that many view as abortifacient, and/or sterilization procedures" (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2018/11/07/fact-sheet-final-rules-on-religious-and-moral-exemptions-and-accommodation-for-coverage-of-certain-preventive-services-under-affordable-care-act.html ).  Of course, these federal rules significantly contradict the new laws passed under Gov. Inslee's team in Olympia in 2018 (see SB6219 and HB1523 below).  Accordingly, the WA Gov sent a letter to HHS (attached to the left under "Downloadable Documents") expressing his issues with these rules.  So while these federal rules are certainly good news for our country, the ruling party in Olympia appear intent on continuing their attacks on our religious freedoms and conscience rights.  While the forces for life and religious freedom in the U.S. Congress have been unsuccessful, at least the President/current administration is doing everything in their power to protect the unborn as well as our constitutionally-guaranteed conscience rights to free exercise of religion!  
                                            

Title X (10) funding the President's Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued a new rule on August 2, 2018 that will eliminate at least $50M of our federal tax dollars from going to Planned Parenthood for abortions.  Thanks to all who submitted their comments to HHS back in July.

Aborted Fetal tissue HHS also issued a notice on Sept 24, 2018 that they have terminated a federal government contract to procure aborted baby parts and are continuing to review alternatives to the use of human fetal tissue for research  (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2018/09/24/statement-from-the-department-of-health-and-human-services.html ).  The USCCB sent a letter applauding the HHS for this courageous act!!
 

Conscience Protection Act of 2017 (S 301/HR 644) Bill to protect rights of pro-life health care entities and employers from the coercive power of federal and state governments compelling them to participate in abortions.  CONTACT members of Congress RIGHT AWAY (see below)!!!  Click HERE to download the USCCB factsheet for more details.

Enter your zip code in the upper right corner at  http://www.house.gov/
to find your U.S. Congress representative's name and contact information, or https://www.senate.gov/ to contact our U.S. Senators.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(sample message)

"Dear Senator/Rep _______: 
 
Please support the Conscience Protection Act and work to pass it into law by any possible means in 2018.  Please also communicate your support for the CPA to House and Senate leadership.  Doctors and nurses unwilling to participate in abortions should not be driven from the healing professions.  It is wrong for government to force Americans to violate their deep respect for human life.
 
As your constituent, I will appreciate your written response telling me what you are doing to ensure passage of this Act. "

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2018 U.S. Supreme Court Decisions

NIFLA v. Becerra

National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) case before the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the CA law that would force pro-life pregnancy centers to advertise  & promote abortion.  On June 26, 2018 our U.S. SUPREME COURT decided 5-4 to protect the religious freedom of the pregnancy centers.  The CA law is overturned.  THANKS FOR EVERYONE'S PRAYERS!!!

Masterpiece Cakeshop baker decision
U. S. Supreme Court decision on June 4^th, in a 7 to 2 majority vote, upheld the constitution's First Amendment guarantee to religious freedom.  The Court determined that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission “showed hostility toward the baker when they suggested his claims of religious freedom were made to justify discrimination” against gays, as a Christian.  “The commission’s hostility was inconsistent with the First Amendment’s guarantee that our laws be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion”, per Justice Anthony Kennedy who wrote the majority decision.  He further wrote…”these disputes must be resolved with tolerance, without undue disrespect to sincere religious beliefs, and without subjecting gay persons to indignities when they seek goods and services in an open market."

2018 Legislation from Olympia, WA
-------------------------------

Results of the 2018 session:

YOUR constitutional right, per the WA state constitution, to religious freedom  (Amendment 4, Article 1, Section 11 "Religious Freedoms"  was trampled by our state legislature  http://leg.wa.gov/LawsAndAgencyRules/Pages/constitution.aspx )
Amendments introduced during floor votes to protect our constitutional guarantee to freedom of conscience were rejected by the majority.  The link under Downloadable Documents called "2018 Legislator voting tallies" shows how legislators voted in certain Districts on these bills. 

Senate Bill 6219 Abortion mandate - this new law forces ALL health plans in the state to include paid coverage for abortions and contraceptives.

House Bill 1523 Contraceptives Mandate - this new law requires all health plans in the state to provide 'free contraceptives'; the contraceptives covered include those that are abortifacients. This constitutes a direct threat to the life and dignity of the human person,    as well as violates our WA state constitutional rights. 

Senate Bill 6037 "Uniform Parentage Act" - this new law creates a contract-basis for surrogacy ("womb rental") in our state, allowing for the buying and selling of babies strictly for money and outside of the normal court systems that would protect children's rights.  Multiple attempts to amend this unthinkable legislation were rejected by the majority party. 

Senate Bills 6102 & 6105 - did not pass, but would have created a NEW CIVIL RIGHT, forcing employers to provide contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs or face charges of discrimination.  Senate Bill 6105 would have provided FREE CONTRACEPTIVES AND ABORTIONS TO ANYONE IN THE WORLD who came to the state of Washington.  These bills also did not provide protections for religious liberty nor conscience rights.  We can reasonably expect that in the 2019 legislative session, unless the majority party control in Olympia changes in the November 2018 elections, these bills will undoubtedly resurface.

   -------------------------------

E-mail sstmlegislativeadvocacy@gmail.com to be included in alerts
to legislature activity regarding Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty issues.

See LINKS below to become a better-informed Catholic citizen.