It’s been a busy 2023 legislative session. We’re supporting numerous bills expanding access to care and protecting the profession. What bills are volunteers advocating for?
Legislation
Legislative Committee Update
Since the 2016 Washington State Supreme Court decision Volk v. DeMeerleer, patients may be reluctant to engage with health care providers about their violence risk. Health care providers may also be uncertain about how to meet their legal obligations.
AAPPN Lobby Day Update
Many thanks to AAPPN President Dana Dean Doering, Snohomish Co-Chairs Nikki Behner and Danielle Waldron, and Legislative Committee Member Danielle DeOliveira for traveling to Olympia for AAPPN’s Lobby Day on February 6, 2019.
Legislative Update 2-15-2019
The Health Policy/Government Relations Committee has been regularly meeting Thursday evenings since the legislative session began January 14, 2019. AAPPN has supported several bills that have come up for public hearing.
Governor’s 2019-21 Budget Priorities
Governor Inslee recently released his budget for 2019-21. Several of the Governor’s budget priorities focus on mental and behavioral health. AAPPN is committed to working with the Governor’s office, the State Legislature, and community stakeholders to expand access to mental health services, advocate for our patients, and represent our profession in Olympia and across Washington […]
Legislative Update: February 2018
Volk Decision As you no doubt know, Senate Bill 5800, Duty to Warn, did not move out of the Judiciary Committee. Our lobbyists, Melissa Johnson and Jennifer Muhm, along with the lobbyists for the clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and others, have worked with Rep. Jinkins to find an avenue to resolve the issue. The […]
Legislative Update: January 2018
Volk Decision Where the Volk bill is: The bill is in the House Judicial Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Jinkins. Rep. Jinkins—and the Democratic Party in general—opposes legislative action which would overrule court decisions. Thus, any bill to reverse Volk is probably not going to come out of committee as long as Rep. Jinkins […]



