WSCC 2023 Catholic Advocacy Bulletin, No. 10 - Archived

Week 10 of the Legislative Session

Committee Hearings and Action Alerts

For the next week and a half, bills will continue to move through committee hearings as the next bill cutoff date approaches on March 29.  By this date, all bills must pass out of their policy committees.  As committee hearings continue, you have the opportunity to be a Catholic voice.  Sign in pro/con for bills below and contact your legislators if they are members of key committees.  There is still much work to be accomplished through the end of the legislative session, which concludes at the end of April.

Semana 10 del Periodo Legislativo

Proyectos de leyes que pasan a la cámara opuesta

Todos los proyectos de leyes que todavía son viables han sido aprobados en su cámara de origen y están ahora en la cámara opuesta. Por ejemplo, el Proyecto de Ley de la Cámara de Representantes 1784, de alivio del hambre, fue aprobado por esta cámara y ahora está siendo examinada por el Senado. Los proyectos de leyes de la cámara opuesta deben ahora aprobarse por medio de audiencias en los comités de dicha cámara. Dado que los proyectos están siendo examinados por los comités, tenemos la oportunidad de firmar a favor o en contra de la legislación que es importante para los católicos. Fíjese en los enlaces a las Alertas de Acción más abajo. Los proyectos de leyes están listados según el orden de las audiencias.

Action Alert: Oppose the Expansion of Assisted Suicide

If you haven’t done so already, please click here to send a message to your representatives and urge them to oppose the expansion of assisted suicide, Senate Bill 5179 (SB 5179). This bill has passed through the Senate and is expected to be voted on by the House in upcoming weeks.  More details about this bill can be found on our Action Alert page. In February Bishop Joseph Tyson of the Diocese of Yakima testified against Senate Bill 5179 in a committee hearing. In accordance with the bishops’ legislative priority to respect life from conception to natural death, the WSCC opposes SB 5179.

Alertas de acción: Opóngase a la ampliación del suicidio asistido

Si aún no lo ha hecho, por favor haga clic aquí para enviar un mensaje a sus representantes para urgirles a que se opongan a la expansión del suicidio asistido, Proyecto de Ley del Senado 5179 (SB 5179). Este proyecto de ley ha sido aprobado por medio del Senado y se espera que sea votado en la Cámara de Representantes en las próximas semanas.  Podrá encontrar más detalles acerca de este proyecto en la página de Alerta de Acción. A principios del mes de febrero, el Obispo Joseph Tyson, de la Diócesis de Yakima, testificó en contra del Proyecto de Ley del Senado 5179 en una audiencia en un comité. De acuerdo con la prioridad legislativa de los obispos de respeto por la vida desde la concepción hasta la muerte natural, la WSCC se opone al SB 5179.

Oppose Increased Health Coverage of Abortion

Targeted Action Alert: If one of your representatives is a member of the House Committee on Health Care and Wellness, please send your representative a message now, and urge him or her to oppose Senate Bill 5242 (SB 5242), a pro-abortion bill.  Identify your district, senator, and your senator’s contact info here.  The House committee will vote on this bill on Wednesday, March 22.  SB 5242 would prohibit health insurance plans from imposing cost sharing for abortion.  Health insurers impose cost sharing for many medically necessary and life-saving procedures; abortion procedures need not be exempted from this practice. In line with the bishops’ legislative priority to respect life, the WSCC opposes SB 5242.

Más noticias actuales sobre respeto por la vida y libertad religiosa

Firme en contra para oponerse al SB 5242, que prohíbe el pago compartido para el aborto

Firme en contra para oponerse al Proyecto de Ley del Senado 5242 (SB 5242), un proyecto en favor del aborto. Por favor firme a más tardar el viernes, 17 de marzo a las 7 am. El SB 5242 tiene programada su audiencia en el Comité de cuidado de la salud y bienestar de la Cámara de Representantes una hora más tarde. Cuando firme, podrá dejar en blanco el espacio que dice “organization” o escribir allí “parishioner of (nombre de su parroquia aquí) Church.” El SB 5242 prohibiría que los planes de seguro médico impongan costos compartidos para el aborto. Las empresas de seguro médico imponen costos compartidos a muchos procedimientos médicos necesarios y urgentes para salvar vidas; el procedimiento para el aborto no necesita ser exonerado de esta práctica. De acuerdo con la prioridad legislativa de los obispos de respeto por la vida, la WSCC se opone al SB 5242.

Mishandling of Human Embryos

Targeted Action Alert: If your state senator is a member of the Senate Committee on Health and Long Term Care, please urge your senator to oppose House Bill 1151 (HB 1151).  Identify your district, senator, and your senator’s contact info here.  Please contact your senator now. The Senate committee may vote on this bill soon.  HB 1151 would mandate health coverage of fertility services. The WSCC specifically opposes the promotion of in vitro fertilization (IVF), which creates human embryos that are not properly cared for. Our Catholic faith teaches us to respect all life and that life begins at conception. However, IVF often results in unused embryos that are frozen indefinitely, destroyed, or abandoned. Life is not properly cared for nor respected.  Additionally, IVF can treat children as commodities that are manufactured outside of the construct of the expression of love of a married couple.  A more thorough explanation of the complexity of the Church’s opposition to IVF may be found here. In line with the legislative priority to respect life, the WSCC opposes HB 1151.

Uso indebido de embriones

Si el senador de su estado es miembro del Comité de salud y cuidado a largo plazo del Senado, por favor úrjale a oponerse al Proyecto de Ley de la Cámara de Representantes 1151 (HB 1151).  Identifique su distrito y a sus senadores y encuentre su información de contacto aquí.  El HB 1151 ordenaría la cobertura médica de servicios de fertilidad. La WSCC se opone a la promoción que hace este proyecto de ley de la fertilización in vitro o IVF, por sus siglas en inglés, por medio de la cual se crean embriones que no son cuidados debidamente. Nuestra fe católica nos enseña a respetar la vida y que la vida comienza desde la concepción. Sin embargo, el IVF a menudo resulta en el congelamiento del embrión por tiempo indefinido y en su destrucción o abandono si no es utilizado.  Además, el proceso de IVF puede tratar a los niños como productos que son fabricados fuera de la estructura de la expresión del amor de un matrimonio.  Podrá encontrar una explicación más profunda acerca de la complejidad de la oposición de la Iglesia al IVF aquí. De acuerdo con la prioridad legislativa de los obispos de respeto por la vida, la WSCC se opone al HB 1151.

Proposed Abortion Constitutional Amendments Fail to Pass Out of Senate and House

Thank you to advocates who contacted legislators and opposed Senate Joint Resolution 8202 (SJR 8202) and House Joint Resolution 4201 (HJR 4201), which would have created a constitutional right to abortion in Washington state.  Nearly 1,500 messages were sent to the governor and state legislators via our Action Alert! HJR 4201 failed to pass out of its policy committee, and SJR 8202 was never brought to the Senate floor for a vote. Unlike other bills, a joint resolution to change the constitution must receive a two-thirds affirmative vote from the full legislature. Other bills only require a majority vote to pass. Both resolutions are dead for this legislative session.

Propuestas de enmiendas a la ley del aborto no son aprobadas por las cámaras de senadores ni de representantes

Gracias por abogar contactando a sus legisladores y oponiéndose a la Resolución Conjunta del Estado 8202 (SJR 8202) y a la Resolución Conjunta de la Cámara de Representantes 4201 (HJR 4201), las cuales hubieran establecido el derecho constitucional al aborto en el estado de Washington. La HJR 4201 no fue aprobada por su comité correspondiente, y la SJR 8202 nunca fue llevada al plenario del Senado para votación. A diferencia de otros proyectos de leyes, una resolución conjunta de cambiar la constitución debe recibir dos tercios de votos afirmativos de toda la legislatura. Otros proyectos solo requieren el voto de la mayoría para ser aprobados. Ambas resoluciones quedaron sin efecto en este periodo legislativo.

SB 5280: Clergy and Mandatory Reporting of Abuse or Neglect

Senate Bill 5280 (SB 5280) would mandate clergy to report child abuse or neglect. In its current, original form, the Senate bill exempts clergy from reporting child abuse or neglect when information is obtained during the sacrament of Reconciliation, as a result of the established clergy-penitent privilege.  In its original form, SB 5280 does not attempt to change current practice within the Catholic Church.  Clergy are already mandatory reporters when they obtain information outside of the confessional.

SB 5280 had a companion bill, House Bill 1098 (HB 1098), that was amended and opposed by the WSCC.  HB 1098 was amended, striking the confessional exemption; it mandated that clergy report child abuse or neglect, even when information is obtained during the sacrament of Reconciliation. This practice would violate canon law.  The WSCC opposed HB 1098.  Fortunately, this bill was not passed by the full House. While SB 5280 in its current form is not objectionable, the WSCC would oppose any amendment seeking to negatively impact the sacrament of Reconciliation.

SB 5280 is scheduled for a hearing on March 21, and the House Committee on Human Services, Youth, and Early Learning will be voting on the bill on March 24 at 8 am.  If one of your representatives is a member of this committee, please ask your representative to maintain the clergy penitent privilege in the bill.  Identify your district, representatives, and your representatives’ contact info here.

Notas adicionales

SB 5280: El clero y el reporte obligatorio de abuso o negligencia

El proyecto de ley del Senado 5280 (SB 5280) obligaría al clero a denunciar el abuso o la negligencia infantil. En su forma original actual, el proyecto de ley del Senado exime al clero de denunciar el abuso o la negligencia infantil cuando la información se obtiene durante el sacramento de la Reconciliación, como resultado del privilegio establecido entre el clero y el penitente. En su forma original, el SB 5280 no intenta cambiar la práctica actual dentro de la Iglesia Católica. Los clérigos ya son informantes obligatorios cuando obtienen información fuera del confesionario.

El SB 5280 tuvo un proyecto de ley complementario, el Proyecto de Ley de la Cámara de Representantes 1098 (HB 1098), que fue enmendado  y al cual se opuso la WSCC. El HB 1098 fue enmendado, eliminando la exención confesional que mandaba que el clero denuncie el abuso o la negligencia infantil, incluso cuando la información se obtiene durante el sacramento de la Reconciliación. Esta práctica violaría la ley canónica. El WSCC se opuso al HB 1098.  Afortunadamente, este proyecto no fue aprobado por toda la Cámara de Representantes.Si bien la SB 5280 en su forma actual no es objetable, la WSCC se opondría a cualquier enmienda que busque tener un impacto negativo en el sacramento de la Reconciliación.

Action Alert: Sign in “Pro” to Prevent Utility Shutoffs During Extreme Heat

Sign in “pro” for House Bill 1329 (HB 1329), which would help individuals with low incomes by preventing utilities from shutting off their water or electricity due to nonpayment during periods of extreme heat. Please sign in by Tuesday, March 21 at 12:30 pm.  HB 1329 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy, and Technology. When signing in you may leave the “organization” box blank or write in “parishioner of — Church.”  In line with the bishops’ economic justice legislative priority, the WSCC supports HB 1329.

SB 5280 had a companion bill, House Bill 1098 (HB 1098), that was amended and opposed by the WSCC.  HB 1098 was amended, striking the confessional exemption; it mandated that clergy report child abuse or neglect, even when information is obtained during the sacrament of Reconciliation. This practice would violate canon law.  The WSCC opposed HB 1098.  Fortunately, this bill was not passed by the full House. While SB 5280 in its current form is not objectionable, the WSCC would oppose any amendment seeking to negatively impact the sacrament of Reconciliation.

SB 5280 is scheduled for a hearing on March 21, and the House Committee on Human Services, Youth, and Early Learning will be voting on the bill on March 24 at 8 am.  If one of your representatives is a member of this committee, please ask your representative to maintain the clergy penitent privilege in the bill.  Identify your district, representatives, and your representatives’ contact info here.

Action Alert: Sign in “Pro” for the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

Sign in “pro” for Senate Bill 5180 (SB 5180), which would support teachers from other states in pathways to licensure in Washington.  SB 5180 would also help eligible military spouses to become licensed in our state. Please sign in by Monday, March 20 at 12:30 pm.  SB 5180 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Committee on Education one hour later.  When signing in you may leave the “organization” box blank or write in “parishioner of — Church.”   SB 5180 could be advantageous for teachers seeking employment in Catholic schools, and it would aid Catholic schools in hiring qualified teachers.  In line with the bishops’ Catholic schools and education legislative priority, the WSCC supports SB 5180.

SB 5280 had a companion bill, House Bill 1098 (HB 1098), that was amended and opposed by the WSCC.  HB 1098 was amended, striking the confessional exemption; it mandated that clergy report child abuse or neglect, even when information is obtained during the sacrament of Reconciliation. This practice would violate canon law.  The WSCC opposed HB 1098.  Fortunately, this bill was not passed by the full House. While SB 5280 in its current form is not objectionable, the WSCC would oppose any amendment seeking to negatively impact the sacrament of Reconciliation.

SB 5280 is scheduled for a hearing on March 21, and the House Committee on Human Services, Youth, and Early Learning will be voting on the bill on March 24 at 8 am.  If one of your representatives is a member of this committee, please ask your representative to maintain the clergy penitent privilege in the bill.  Identify your district, representatives, and your representatives’ contact info here.

Action Alert: Sign in “Con” for SB 5599 to Protect Youth and Families

Sign in “con” for Senate Bill 5599 (SB 5599) to protect youth and families.  Please sign in by Wednesday, March 22 at 12:30 pm.  HB 5599 is scheduled for a hearing one hour later in the House Committee on Human Services, Youth, and Early Learning.  When signing in you may leave the “organization” box blank or write in “parishioner of — Church.” SB 5599 breaks down familial relationships.  Currently, licensed overnight shelters and licensed organizations providing services to homeless or runaway youth must contact a youth’s parents if they know that a child is away from home without parental permission.  Exceptions may be made if notifying a parent or legal guardian will subject a minor to abuse or neglect.  SB 5599 would further expand exceptions to notifying parents or legal guardians.  Namely, if a youth is seeking an abortion or gender-affirming care, parents or legal guardians do not need to be notified.  According to Catholic Social Teaching, the family is the most central social institution, and it must be supported and strengthened.  SB 5599 undermines families.  In line with the bishops’ legislative priorities to protect children and families and respect life, the WSCC opposes SB 5599.

Opportunities to Contact Your Legislators

Targeted Action Alerts

The following bills are scheduled to be voted on soon. If your legislator is a member of one of the committees below, please urge your legislator to vote for or against the bills below. Now is the perfect time to offer input to your legislator, just prior to the scheduled vote.

Special Education Funding

Targeted Action Alert: If your senator is a member of the Senate Committee on Early Learning and K-12 Education, please send your senator a message now, and urge him or her to pass House Bill 1109 (HB 1109).  Identify your district, state senator, and your senator’s contact info here.  The committee will be voting on HB 1109 on Monday, March 20.  Currently, special education initial evaluations and the subsequent development of individualized education programs do not occur when school is out of session for the summer. HB 1109 would provide funding for initial evaluations and the development of individualized education programs to take place during summer months.  In line with the bishops’ legislative priorities of caring for children/families and those with disabilities, the WSCC supports HB 1109.

Free School Meals

Targeted Action Alert: If your state senator is a member of the Senate Committee on Early Learning and K-12 Education, please contact your senator now, and ask him or her to pass House Bill 1238 out of committee.  Identify your district, state senator, and your senator’s contact info here.  HB 1238 is scheduled for a vote on Monday, March 20.  HB 1238 would require certain public schools serving grades K-4 to provide breakfast and lunch each school day at no charge to any student who requests these meals.  This program would be phased in over the next two school years. In line with the bishops’ legislative priorities of children and families, economic justice, and education, the WSCC supports HB 1238.

The Toxics Free Cosmetics Act

Targeted Action Alert: If your senator is a member of the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy, and Technology, please send your senator a message now, and urge her or him to pass the Toxics Free Cosmetics Act, House Bill 1047 (HB 1047).  Identify your district, state senator, and your senator’s contact info here.  HB 1047 is scheduled for a vote on Tuesday, March 21 at 1:30 pm.  The Toxics Free Cosmetics Act addresses the fact that many personal care items and cosmetics contain chemicals that are unregulated, and are linked to cancer and developmental and reproductive harm. In addition to harming individuals, unregulated chemicals also pollute the environment during manufacturing and after disposal. The Toxics Free Cosmetics Act would ban certain hazardous chemicals in cosmetics, include hazard assessments of substitute chemicals, and provide incentives for small businesses to make safer cosmetics.  In line with the bishops’ legislative priority of caring for God’s creation, the WSCC supports the Toxics Free Cosmetics Act.

Oppose Increased Health Coverage of Abortion

Targeted Action Alert: If one of your representatives is a member of the House Committee on Health Care and Wellness, please send your representative a message now, and urge him or her to oppose Senate Bill 5242 (SB 5242), a pro-abortion bill.  Identify your district, senator, and your senator’s contact info here.  The House committee will vote on this bill on Wednesday, March 22.  SB 5242 would prohibit health insurance plans from imposing cost sharing for abortion.  Health insurers impose cost sharing for many medically necessary and life-saving procedures; abortion procedures need not be exempted from this practice. In line with the bishops’ legislative priority to respect life, the WSCC opposes SB 5242.

Help Survivors of Female Genital Mutilation

Targeted Action Alert: If one of your representatives is a member of the House Committee on Community Safety, Justice, and Reentry, please send a message to your representative now, urging him or her to vote for Senate Bill 5453 (SB 5453) to help survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM).  Identify your district, representatives, and your legislators’ contact info here.  SB 5453 is scheduled for a vote on Thursday, March 23.  SB 5453 creates a civil cause of action for survivors of FGM, defines FGM as unprofessional conduct under the Uniform Disciplinary Act for health care providers, creates education programs, and establishes FGM as a crime. In line with the bishops’ priority to respect the dignity of every human person, the WSCC supports SB 5453.

Good News from Catholic Dioceses Throughout the State

Chrism Masses

During Holy Week the dioceses will be celebrating Chrism Masses, during which holy oils will be blessed.  The holy oils will then be used in the administration of the sacraments at Easter and throughout the year.  The bishops and priests will renew their priestly promises during the liturgy. In the Archdiocese of Seattle the Chrism Mass will take place on March 30 at 7 pm at the St. James Cathedral.  In the Diocese of Spokane the Mass will take place on March 28 at 5:30 pm at the Cathedral of Our Lady or Lourdes.  In the Diocese of Yakima, the Mass will also be celebrated on March 28 at 7 pm at St. Paul Cathedral.

Partners In the Gospel Underway in the Archdiocese of Seattle

In the Archdiocese of Seattle, Partners in the Gospel is underway, a strategic pastoral planning effort intended to re-invigorate and renew local Catholic churches.  This planning effort will bring most parishes together into a new family structure with two or more parishes. Pastors, parish leaders and parishioners will determine how this new family will best join together to carry out the mission of the Church as one parish.  Learn more here, and read the latest Partners in the Gospel newsletter here.

Diocese of Yakima Hosts 5th Worldwide Rosary

Last month, the Religious Family of the Immaculate Heart and the Divine Mercy, along with the Theotokos Marian Movement and the Diocese of Yakima, hosted the 5th Worldwide Rosary.  The rosary took place at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, with Bishop Joseph Tyson presiding.  The event was broadcast live on television, radio, and social media and can be viewed here. 

Advocacy Opportunities From Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) invites you to learn more about how you can take action with CRS in your own community to end global poverty.  Across the country, Catholics and others of goodwill are joining in the mission of CRS by carrying out advocacy and community giving actions throughout the year. In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis reminds us that “we can aspire to a world that provides land, housing and work for all.” At CRS we want to make this dream a reality and we believe we can do it with your help!  Upcoming Zoom meetings are a great chance to learn more about the work of CRS and how CRS Chapters and Clubs are making an impact in addressing hunger, poverty and injustice around the world!  These 45-minute sessions take place the third Wednesday of each month at 5 pm PT. Register to attend one of the upcoming information sessions on Zoom: March 22, April 19, or May 17 at 5 PM PT.  These events will be hosted in English with closed captioning available in Spanish.  Upcoming dates for Spanish sessions will be announced soon!  

Additionally, the CRS State Coalition Leaders would like to invite you to join the State Coalition visit with your U.S. Senate offices this spring. Register using this form and invite others in your community to register by March 22, 2023. All are welcome!

¡Buenas noticias! Proyectos de leyes que fueron aprobadas y pasaron a la otra cámarar

¡Buenas noticias! Abajo encontrará una lista de proyectos de leyes apoyados por la WSCC que lograron ser aprobados por sus cámaras de origen y que ahora serán considerados por la cámara opuesta.

HB 1265 Exención de impuesto inmobiliario para viviendas de personas adultas que cuidan de personas con discapacidades y que son propiedad de una organización sin fines de lucro.

HB 1260 Que acelera la estabilidad para personas con una discapacidad o limitación para trabajar

HB 1047 Acta de cosméticos sin tóxicos

HB 1181 Actualizaciones al Acta de Manejo del Crecimiento demográfico

SB 5180 Acuerdo de Movilidad de maestros a nivel interestatal

SB 5256 Permanencia y ampliación del programa de bienestar de vivienda para niños, que ayuda a reunificar a las familias

SB 5225 Ampliación del programa Working Connections (Conexiones de trabajo) de acceso a guardería

HB 1238 Comidas de escuela gratuitas para todos

SB 1109 Financiamiento para evaluaciones de educación especial y programas de educación individualizada durante el verano

HB 1128 Aumento de subsidio para necesidades personales de los beneficiarios de Medicare

HB 1784 Alivio para el hambre

HB 1329 Prevención de la interrupción de servicios públicos debido a falta de pago durante los meses de extremo calor

HB 1048 Mejora del Acta de Derechos para votar

SB 1177 Creación de una unidad de investigaciones de casos no resueltos de mujeres indígenas desaparecidas o asesinadas

SB 5087 Eliminación de la pena de muerte

SB 5114 Apoyo a sobrevivientes de la trata humana

SB 5453 Apoyo a sobrevivientes de la mutilación sexual femenina

HB 1324 Justicia restaurativa – eliminación de los puntajes en el sistema de justicia juvenil

Useful Links for the Legislative Sessions

Washington State Legislature – Information on bills, hearings, legislators, and more

Identify your district and legislators

Find bill information

WSCC website

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Enlaces útiles para el periodo legislativo

Legislatura del Estado de Washington – Información sobre proyectos de leyes, audiencias, lista de legisladores y más.

Identifique su distrito y a sus legisladores

Prioridades legislativas de la WSCC

Encuentre información sobre proyectos de leyes

Sitio web de la WSCC 

Iron Sharpens Iron
Seattlemensconference.org

Important Dates

WSCC Staff

We invite you to contact us at any time.

Mario Villanueva, Executive Director
mario.villanueva@wacatholics.org

Adrienne Corpuz Joyce, Director of Policy and Communications:
adrienne.joyce@wacatholics.org

Tracey Wilson Yackley, Operations Manager:
tracey.yackley@wacatholics.org

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Fechas importantes

Personal de la WSCC

Les invitamos a contactarnos en cualquier momento.

Mario Villanueva, Director Ejecutivo
mario.villanueva@wacatholics.org

Adrienne Corpuz Joyce, Directora de Políticas y Comunicaciones
adrienne.joyce@wacatholics.org

Tracey Wilson Yackley, Gerente operativo
tracey.yackley@wacatholics.org

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