Some WA Voters Say New Law Is ‘Unconstitutional Grab’ of Parents’ Rights

BULLET POINTS:

• Efforts are underway by some Washington state voters to roll back Senate Bill 5599, signed by Governor Jay Inslee in May 2023, that goes into effect on July 23, 2023.

• Critics of the bill are seeking to gain enough voter signatures for Referendum 101 and Initiative 2081 in order to repeal the law that allows youth and young adults to seek certain protective health care services without parental permission..

Some critics in Yakima and others around the state believe Senate Bill 5599 is "an unconstitutional power grab" of parental rights in Washington state. Susan Boisselle, member of the Yakima Republican Women's Club, says she is leading local and statewide efforts to repeal the law that was signed by Governor Inslee back in May 2023.

THE WA STATE LAW HAS BEEN CRITICIZED BY MANY AS LIMITING PARENTS' RIGHTS

According to the faith-based Family Policy Institute of Washington, this new bill is also being criticized for allowing classification for homeless youth shelters, host home programs, youth host homes, and any person in Washington state to "assist children in obtaining abortions, puberty blockers, gender reassignment surgeries, or any other health services prescribed by a doctor."

Opponents of this new law in Washington state are also particularly critical of the part that allows these certain classified shelters from being required to report they're harboring any runaway children.

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THOUSANDS OF SIGNATURES ARE NEEDED BEFORE JULY 15

Referendum 101 and Initiative 2081 aim to roll back thee laws. Referendum 101 would require at least 200,000 signatures by July 15 to appear on the November ballot, and Initiative 2081 would need more than 300,000 signatures by December 18 to appear on the ballot in 2024. Boisselle says that volunteers are also needed to collect signatures and that interested persons can get more info at Reject5599.com.

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