*The following action is brought to you by the WA Coalition for Police Accountability. There are also two bonus committee sign-in actions at the bottom!*
We’re writing to ask everyone to email the House Civil Rights and Judiciary committee ASAP – and ask legislators to move HB 1025 out of committee.
HB 1025, the Access to Fairness Act would provide a legal remedy to people whose rights have been violated by law enforcement. This bill would prevent Washington courts from applying the qualified immunity shield for state-law civil rights violations. This bill creates a path in Washington state courts for victims to enforce the Washington State Constitution if their rights have been violated.
Please send one email and include all of the Democratic committee members in the “to” line.
HERE IS A SAMPLE EMAIL TO SEND OR TO PERSONALIZE:
Dear Chair Hansen and Democratic Members of the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee:
I am writing to ask that you schedule HB 1025 for Executive Session and pass it out of the committee so that it reaches the Governor’s desk during this session. I am asking for a “yes” vote from each of you.
There is no more time to delay the passage of this legislation. We have waited far too long already.
As you know, HB 1025 establishes a right of action that currently does not exist and which must be created by legislative action. It is incumbent upon you to create this right of action.
Professor Joanna Schwartz, who testified on HB 1025, has identified qualified immunity as a key piece of keeping police untouchable. Do we really want police to be untouchable? Is that good policy? No, it is not, and we all should want accountability and justice.
How can we transform policing without this legislation? Some of you are worried that individual police will be held liable. Do not worry, HB 1025 makes it clear that they are indemnified. Some of you are worried that there will be a flood of lawsuits. Do not worry, this has not happened in other states. What you need to worry about however is the lack of accountability for ongoing misconduct and harm by police.
The status quo simply is not working. You have the power to set us on the right path.
Please move this bill out of your committee.
Thank you.
READ MORE ABOUT THE ACCESS TO FAIRNESS ACT HERE: https://www.washingtoncoalitionforpoliceaccountability.com/2023-priorities
BONUS SIGN-IN ACTIONS:
From La Resistencia: HB 1470 would legally obligate private detention facilities to create a habitable environment for detained people, including standards for food, clothes, hygiene, banning solitary confinement, and allowing free phone calls. Sign in PRO by today 2/7 at 4pm here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=House&mId=30661&aId=150707&caId=21208&tId=3
From Healthcare is a Human Right: Advancing Racial Equity though better Dental Access: (HB 1678): Sign in PRO for House Health Care by today 2/7 at 1:30pm. This bill helps address racial disparities in access to oral care by allowing dental therapists to practice under the supervision of dentists. Please sign in by 12:30pm Tuesday. https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=House&mId=30654&aId=150665&caId=21242&tId=3
