Cap On Insulin, Police Reform, School Meal Bills Signed Into Law

OLYMPIA, WA — The 60-day legislative session has less than a week to go, but dozens of bills are still squeaking past the finish line and onto the governor's desk. Here's a look at a few recent bills Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law this Friday.

A price cap on insulin

Last month, the state Senate passed SB 5546, which proposed capping the cost for insulin at $35 per month. Friday, that bill wound up on the governor's desk, having made its way through the rest of the legislative process.

"Insulin is a lifesaving medication," said bill sponsor Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines) in a written statement. "It was first used 100 years ago. There is no reason for the price of insulin to be so high today, but across the country, it has skyrocketed by 54% in recent years. We have a responsibility to keep vital prescriptions affordable."

Back in 2020, the legislature passed a bill capping patients' out-of-pocket cost for insulin at $100 per month, but that bill had been set to expire at the start of next year. Now that the newer legislation has Inslee's signature, the $100 cap has been reduced to $35, and will last another full year, through to Jan. 1, 2024.

During that time period, lawmakers say they hope to create and pass a "more permanent solution" to keep insulin prices down.

Offering more free school meals to students

House Bill 1878 will require all of Washington's public schools to participate in the USDA's Community Eligibility Program if eligible, and gives them the money to pay for the program's free school meals.

"Food is health," said Rep. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane), the bill's sponsor. "Consistent access to nutritious food is a part of how we protect kids from getting sick while ensuring they have the fuel they need to learn, grow, and play, and free school meals are the most effective way to ensure that all of our kids are getting the food they need to thrive."

The USDA's Community Eligibility Program is available to select schools with a high number of students whose households receive assistance from SNAP, or medicaid, are struggling with housing stability, or are in foster care, to apply and receive free meals to all of the school's students.

"This means more students will get the nutrition they need while removing the stigma and barrier that impacts their learning," Inslee said at Friday's signing.

Currently, 491 Washington schools participate in the program, and 9 more are in the process of joining, but HB 1878 will expand the program to an additional 626 schools.

Clarification on previous police accountability bills

Last year, the legislature passed House Bills 1054 and 1310, two hefty police reform laws. The first "established requirements for tactics and equipment used by peace officers" by putting limits on when tear gas can be deployed and when officers can use choke holds or engage in vehicular pursuits of suspects. The second established a statewide standard for police use of force. Both were met with a strong, negative response from police and law enforcement agencies, who claimed the new regulations were overly restrictive.

In response to that pushback, this sesson lawmakers put forth HB 1719 and HB 1735, both of which the Governor signed Friday. The first, HB 1719, clarifies that the state's ban on .50 caliber weapons only applies to rifles, and that officers can still use beanbag rounds or less-lethal munitions launchers

“This bill ensures that our law enforcement professionals have the full range of less-lethal alternatives to deadly force available to them,” said sponsor Rep. Dan Bronoske (D-Lakewood). I am happy that we were able to eliminate any ambiguity in the statute. The Legislature never intended to ban less-lethal alternatives and it is important that officers have every tool to prevent deadly force available to them.”

The other bill, HB 1735, lowers the bar for officers to use physical force, which can now be used in behavioral health circumstances, for involuntary treatment commitments, in instances of child welfare, and similar circumstances.

"Designated crisis responders often enter volatile and unstable situations, and it is vital that they have the support of law enforcement to safely do their job," said sponsor Rep. Jesse Johnson (D-Federal Way). "The goal remains the same, de-escalation and limiting unnecessary police violence while still allowing police to do their job.”

Supporters for both bills came from the Washington Fraternal Order of Police, the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability, and the Washington Association of Designated Crisis Responders. Proponents have argued that the two bills are necessary to protect officers as they make arrests, but others aren't so sure: ACLU police practices attorney Enoka Herat previously told The Stranger the rollbacks were "a dangerous step backward" that would hobble police accountability.

Expanding telehealth options in Washington

Another bill that wound up in Inslee's care Friday was HB 1286, a bill to streamline the process of issuing state licenses to psychologists.

"This will help Washingtonians access psychologists who have moved out of state or have relocated to our great state," Inslee said. "It will better support our military spouses who want to continue their psychological practice here in Washington."