Who are your state representatives?  Do they know they have Secular Humanist constituents?  Do they know what priorities are?  Here are some bills currently being floated in the 2019 state legislative session:

HB 1142

Did you know that WA State hold religious day care facilities to the same standards as non-sectarian child care businesses? Still, the cost of childcare is a struggle for many families in our state. House bill 1142 was introduced by Reeves, Gregerson, Stanford, and was referred to Human Services and Early Learning. It calls for an assessment of the child care industry so our government can better understand issues affecting access and affordability. The bill requires that data differentiate children served by different forms of child care, including religious organizations. This is important because Humanist families’ options for quality daycare should include more options that faith-based care.

Call the legislative hotline 1-800-562-6000 or email your rep now about this issue!

Sample script:

Dear Representative Reeves/Gregerson/Stanford,
Thank you for sponsoring HB 1142. As a Secular Humanist, I support analysis of childcare options that includes examining accessibility and affordability of non-sectarian daycare.

Sincerely,
Your Name

HB 1233

Science and data should inform policy and regulations! HB 1233 was introduced by Griffey, MacEwen, Eslick, Irwin, Dent. It changes requirements for state and local agencies regarding how science is used to create and implement policies, regulations, and programs. Currently, agencies “shall include the best available science,” but this bill’s sponsors want to amend this to read “must consider available science.” And worse, if experts assess that the best science wasn’t used, it won’t count against local agencies! Contact anyone on the House Environment & Energy Committee to let them know this is unacceptable! 

Call the legislative hotline 1-800-562-6000 or email your rep now about this issue!

Sample Script:

Dear Representative ________,
Please do not support HB 1233. The process of science is essential to understanding our world and preserving environmental health for future generations. As a Secular Humanist, I doggedly advocate for the use of quality, peer-reviewed scientific findings and data to inform policies and law, free from religious or corporate influence. HB 1233 diminishes the importance of science and lessens accountability of local agencies.

Sincerely,
Your Name

HB 1016

Did you know that there are hospitals in our state that lack sex assault kits or individuals available at all times to provide evidence collection of sexual assault? HB 1016 was introduced by Representatives Caldier, Cody, Griffey, Mosbrucker, Maycumber, Macri, Jinkins, Slatter, Shea, Van Werven, Irwin, Fitzgibbon, Appleton, Wylie, Doglio, Robinson, Chambers, Orwall, Stanford, Rude, Frame, Leavitt, Walen, and Young. It would require these hospitals to develop plans by July 2020 to assist targets of sexual assault in obtaining evidence collection. This is important because Humanists support every individual’s right to autonomy over one’s body and reproductive choices.

Call the legislative hotline 1-800-562-6000 or email your rep now about this issue!

Sample Script:

Dear Representative ________,
Thank you for sponsoring HB 1016 . As a Secular Humanist, I support every individual’s right to bodily autonomy, which includes facilitating evidence collection for targets of sexual assault who have had their bodily autonomy violated.

Sincerely,
Your Name

HB 1053

Did you know that WA State taxes menstruation hygiene products? This tax disproportionately affects women. HB 1053 was introduced by Reeves, Peterson, Valdez, Caldier, Fitzgibbon, Jinkins, Macri, Wylie, Goodman, Doglio, Robinson, Pollet, Orwall, Senn, Stanford, Stonier, Walen. It would exempt products like pads, tampons, and menstrual cups from sales tax. This is important because Humanists believe in gender equality, and seek to eliminate barriers that disproportionately affect one segment of the population.

Call the legislative hotline 1-800-562-6000 or email your rep now about this issue!

Sample Script:

Dear Representative ________,
Thank you for sponsoring HB 1053 . As a Secular Humanist, I support eliminating barriers that disproportionately affect one segment of the population. Sales tax on menstruation hygiene products disproportionately affects women. Thank you for your work to eliminate this tax.

Sincerely,
Your Name