WA Mon action alert

legislative action alert         2014 Washington State Legislative Session MOBILIZATION MONDAY: OLYMPIA FORECAST FPIW Prayer Network: Please use the following information as the basis for praying for FPIW this week, as well as forwarding to your respective prayer groups and networks. Emailprayer@fpiw.org to join the network. Thank you for praying!  Religious Freedom * Parental Rights OPPOSE: ES  HB 2451 - Reparative Therapy Bill ESHB 2451: Restricting the practice of sexual orientation change efforts.   Summary: Would ban talk therapy to address same-sex attraction in minors, violates the rights of parents and children to seek counseling that conforms to their values, and violates a licensed therapist's First Amendment rights to free speech and free exercise of religion. Read more and track this bill. Status ESHB 2451: Passed House 94-4. Scheduled for a public hearing at 10:00am, on Thurs., February 20, in the Senate Committee on Health Care. ACTION: URGENT, IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED #1 - CALL: 1 (800) 562-6000   Tell your SENATOR how disappointed you are that the House did not uphold a licensed therapist's First Amendment rights to free speech and free exercise of religious. Compel him or her to OPPOSE ESHB 2451 if these First Amendment violations are not fixed.  # 2 - SHOW UP - Attend the Senate Committee on Health Care public hearing on ESHB 2451 at 10:00am, Thursday, February 20, in the John A. Cherberg (JAC) Building, Hearing Room 4. See Campus Map. # 3 - NOTIFY Licensed Therapists You Know Tell them their profession is at risk. If ESHB 2451 becomes law they will not only lose their Constitutional rights to free speech and religious expression, but they will also lose the ability to use their own clinical judgement when helping clients.   Ask them to contact FPIW Executive Director Joseph Backholm at joseph@fpiw.org or (425) 608-0242, if they want to help stop this very dangerous bill. Additional Resources    * Archived Testimony on HB 2451 01/22/14 - House Committee on Heath Care & Wellness Public Hearing * The Fear of Change 01/23/14 - by Joseph Backholm, Director, FPIW * The Problem with House Bill 2451 1/20/14 - by Rebecca Faust, FPIW Blog Contributor * When Government Keeps Teens from Seeing the Therapist 11/14/13 - by Robert Carle within Constitutional Law, The Witherspoon Institute Religious Freedom * Sanctity of Human Life OPPOSE: HB 2148 & SB 6359 Abortion Insurance Mandate Conscience Coercion Bill HB 2148 & SB 6359 - Concerning health plan coverage for the voluntary termination of a pregnancy. Summary: Would force health plans that cover maternity care to also "provide coverage for the voluntary termination of a pregnancy". Read more and track this bill. Status HB 2148: 02/05/14 passed 54-44 by the House.  SB 6359: There is no public hearing scheduled at this time. ACTION:    # 1 - Remain on standby.  Additional Resources   * Abortion Insurance Mandate Advances in Legislature 01/24/14 - by Joseph Backholm, Executive Director, FPIW * Irony Abounds in Abortion Mandate Hearing 01/15/14 - by Joseph Backholm, Executive Director, FPIW * Watch the January 13 Committee Hearing on HB 2148 * House Health Care & Wellness Executive Committee Religious Freedom SUPPORT: SB 6464 Healthcare Choices Options  SB 6464  - Concerning health insurance coverage options for the citizens of Washington state. Summary: A health insurance carrier may continue to offer an individual or small group health plan in the market outside the [Washington State] Exchange, regardless of whether the plan meets any state or federal requirements applicable to the individual or small-group markets after October 1, 2013. Read the bill. Status: SB 6464: Passed by the Ways and Means Committee to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration for a full Senate Vote. ACTION:    # 1 - Remain on standby.  # 2 - Watch Sen. Steve O'Ban's video explanation of SB 6464. # 3 - Do you have a story? Use the Legislative Website  online Comment Form for SB 6464 to share with Legislators. Parental Rights * Sanctity of Human Life SUPPORT: SB 5156 & HB 1257 Parental Notification for Abortion SB 5156 & HB 1257 - Requiring parental notification before an abortion on a minor.  Status: The Senate Committee on Law & Justice approved SB 5156, which is presently in Rules for consideration for a full Senate vote. Action: Watching Parental Rights OPPOSE: HB 1934 HB 1934 - Concerning Third-Party Visitation Summary: Would allow a third party (non-relative) to petition the court for visitation of a child. This bill would enact a new section in Washington law that would allow any person to petition a court for visitation rights with a child if they have "established an ongoing and substantial relationship with the child." The bill is not limited to grandparents/relatives but is open to non relatives.   Status: Was introduced at the Executive Session (without a hearing), passed out of committee, and is presently in Rules. Action: Watching  THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION! The most helpful way to support the Family Policy Action is to be a monthly partner. Our work providing accountability and advocacy on behalf of the family would not be possible without you. Your support allows people like us to inform people like you about issues like this. That's teamwork!    Questions? Need assistance? Please email info@fpiw.org.