President's Message

Spring has arrived here in Washington! Spring is a time for rejuvenation and regeneration. The state board is wasting no time with our spring cleaning. We recently voted on an updated political action policy with plans to update others.

WWL is full steam ahead all across the state. In February, WWL joined hundreds of women for Women at the Capitol Day. It was an opportunity to network with our elected officials and a spectacular display of civic engagement for women and girls. In honor of Black History Month, we were proud to sponsor the February 12th UW School of Law Diversity Event. Justice González moderated a panel celebrating diversity, highlighting his ongoing engagement with the UW Law community. In March, our first book club meeting convened over Zoom to discuss The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans.

WWL State Board recognizes that the strength of our legal system depends on integrity, independence, and equal access to justice. As members of the legal community, we felt compelled to issue a public statement on the Rule of Law and the attempts to dismantle this pillar of a fair and just society. WWL affirms that the rule of law is foundational to a free and democratic society. See the full statement attached to this newsletter or on our website.

Spring also marks an exciting season for our organization. I encourage you to explore the many upcoming events designed to connect, inspire, and empower our members. From networking opportunities to meaningful discussions and community engagement, there are many ways to get involved and strengthen our collective impact.

Thank you for your continued commitment to Washington Women Lawyers and to one another.

Amanda N. Gamble

State Board President '25–'26

President@wwl.org

Volunteers Needed

We are seeking 5–6 dedicated volunteers to join a planning committee for an upcoming Supreme Court Justice Candidate Meet & Greet to be held this September (date TBD). This is a unique opportunity to help organize a meaningful event that fosters engagement with judicial candidates and supports informed community dialogue.

Committee members will assist with event logistics, outreach, and on-site support. You can anticipate 2–3 planning meetings with the bulk of the commitment on the day of the event. Planning meetings will be held via Zoom and scheduled based on group availability.

Please email president@wwl.org by Friday, May 1, 2026 if you are interested.

That Is a Wrap on the 2026 WA Legislative Session

As the Washington State Legislative Session comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the legislation that WWL supported. Our Government Affairs Team (Martha Phelps, Christine Vogel, and Melissa Havens) spent countless hours keeping track of legislation that aligned with WWL's mission and values. Below is a brief summary and outcomes from the legislation supported by WWL.

Signed into Law

SB 6182 – Establishing an Abortion Savings Program
Establishes a premium tax on insurance carriers offering health plans on the state's Health Benefit Exchange. The collected funds would go into an Abortion Savings Account (ASA), and DOH would distribute funds to eligible abortion safety net health care providers, to support access to direct patient abortion clinical care services across the state.

HB 2105 – Immigrant Worker Protection Act
Provides protections for immigrant workers by implementing employer notification requirements in the event of certain documentation inspections, provides additional protections and support for workers, their families and employers, and puts restrictions on employers' ability to provide access to worker documents without a subpoena or judicial warrant.

SB 6002 – Driver Privacy Protections and Automated License Plate Reader System
Creates a regulatory structure for the use of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems and the data captured. Restricts/limits the use of ALPR systems by state and local agencies, sets retention periods for the data collected, and limits the sharing of data. Creates a private right of action for violations under the Consumer Protection Act, and willful violations of the law would be gross misdemeanors.

SB 5855 – Law Enforcement Face Coverings
Prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing face masks that obscure their identities and requires them to wear name or other identifying information on their uniforms.

SB 5917 – Improving Access to Abortion Medications
Improves access to abortion medications by removing restrictions on the state's distribution of its stockpile (purchased following the Dobbs decision) of mifepristone and misoprostol, used in abortion and miscarriage care in more than 60% of abortions in Washington. Prioritizes bulk distribution to health care providers and health care entities.

HB 2632 – Modernizing Noncitizen Terminology
Requires that statutes and other official documents enacted after 7/1/26 use the term "noncitizen" instead of "alien" to refer to persons who are not citizens or nationals of the US. There is an exception for situations where required by federal law or necessary to comply with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state.

HB 2242/SB 5967 – Keeping Vaccination Aligned with Science and Medicine
Keeps state vaccine recommendations and purchasing aligned with science by providing such decisions will take into account the recommendations of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the recommendations of professional medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatricians and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

HB 2155 – Concerning the Use of Nursing Titles
Revises existing nursing licensure laws to specify that only "human" persons who meet such laws may practice as nurses (RN, LPN, NP and APRN). Adds the term "human" before every instance of the term "person" and expressly states that no "nonhuman entity" may assume nursing titles. This bill is intended to address artificial intelligence and ensures humans are the providers of nursing care.

Did Not Advance

SB 5826 – Concerning Access at Public Postsecondary Educational Institutions to Medication Abortion
Did not advance past second cutoff (2/9/26)
Requires public university health centers in the state to offer access to medication abortion; and public universities in WA that do not operate student health centers to offer information and referral services for medication abortion.

HB 1591 – Providing Remedies for Defendant Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, or Human Trafficking
Did not advance past third cutoff (2/17/26)
Establishes a sentencing alternative for defendants who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, and authorizes the court to impose the sentencing alternative or a sentence below the standard range in applicable cases. Authorizes the court to resentence persons who are survivors under certain circumstances.

HB 2176 – Public Records Disclosure Exemption for Collaborative Drug Therapy Agreements (CDTAs)
Did not advance past fourth cutoff (2/25/26)
Prohibits the disclosure of Collaborative Drug Therapy Agreements from public records disclosure requirements except in circumstances involving disciplinary actions against certain licensed health professionals. Helps protect providers of reproductive care and medications against retaliation and personal harm.

Upcoming Statewide Events

  • May 9, 2026 – UW Law Students Invite to Join for Line Dancing! Steel Creek, 1114 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402 at 8:00 PM.
  • May 28, 2026 – WWL Book Club at 12:00 PM via Zoom. We are reading All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks. This book explores love as a proactive, healing force rather than just a feeling, analyzing how to build connection. Gloria Jean Watkins, better known by her pen name bell hooks, was an American author, theorist, educator, and social critic who was a Distinguished Professor in Residence at Berea College. She was best known for her writings on race, feminism, and social class.
  • August 9, 2026 – Mariners Game. Ticket information coming soon.

Chapter Events & Announcements

  1. Pierce County WWL Chapter is hosting a Happy Hour on April 14, 2026 at 5:30 PM at Fusion Donut Cake & Lounge.
  2. The online version of the March 2026 edition of the Gender & Justice Commission's Monthly Newsletter is available HERE.
  3. The WSBA Virtual Volunteer Fair will be held April 17, 2026 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. This event highlights a wide range of volunteer opportunities that support equity, community engagement, and leadership across the profession. Participants can visit three themed breakout rooms to explore roles, ask questions, and connect with current volunteers. To learn more, contact Paris Eriksen at parise@wsba.org.
  4. The Minority and Justice Commission has launched the first standing sub-committee to a Supreme Court Commission developed to focus specifically on the experiences of Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Asexual, and other (2SLGBTQIA+) users of the Washington State legal system, and particularly where 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and racial injustice uniquely impact access to justice. You can learn more about this committee at: MJC QT+ Committee. They are seeking members of the State Bar and Minority Bar Associations to participate. In particular, they are seeking individuals with lived experience in Washington courts (e.g., eviction proceedings, family law, or criminal matters) as well as court staff, lawyers, and judges. However, participants with lived experience should not have any current cases pending before courts in Washington. Please nominate individuals you think would be a good fit, including yourself: QT+ Committee Membership – Nomination Form.

WWL Membership Renewals

Don't forget to renew your WWL membership when you receive those renewal notices! Not sure whether your membership has expired or when it will expire? Send an email to Cassie, our Executive Director, and she can look it up for you.


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