Legislature OKs bills on coroners, school district funds

The Washington state House passed numerous bills during a virtual legislative debate Tuesday, including a bill that would strengthen the service local coroners and medical examiners provide to their communities.

House Bill 1326, which passed in a 88-10 vote, would require coroners, medical examiners and medicolegal investigative staff to undergo medicolegal forensic investigation training within 12 months of being appointed. It now heads to the governor’s desk.

“This bill is a small bill that helps us better provide our public service to our citizens within our counties,” Rep. Debra Lekanoff, D-Bow, said during the debate. Lekanoff is HB 1326’s primary sponsor.

Additionally, HB 1326 would allow counties looking for coroner and medical examiner services to enter into an interlocal agreement with a nearby county, according to the bill’s text.

Rep. Keith Goehner, R-Dryden, said during the debate HB 1326 is well-worked and the passage of the bill will be in the best interest of the state.

HB 1326 would also require a coroner’s and medical examiner’s office to receive accreditation from the National Association of Medical Examiners or the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners no later than July 1, 2025.

Another bill the House passed is HB 1208, which garnered a 93-5 vote. It is now on the governor’s desk. The bill would require school districts to “temporarily budget and expend” funds from the state Learning Assistance Program to address students’ needs, which was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under HB 1208, school districts can use up to 15% of their LAP funds for academic, nonacademic and social-emotional support services for students. The bill would also modify requirements and restrictions on how LAP funds can be used.

Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, D-Seattle, said during the debate HB 1208 is about providing school districts the flexibility to meet students’ needs. The Senate placed additional guardrails on the bill, which strengthened it, for the most part, she said.

“The changes that were made were positive,” Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, said during the virtual legislative debate. “The bill (is) stronger than what we sent to the other chamber.”

The House also passed HB 1129 in a 93-5 vote, which sends the bill to the governor next. The bill would allow the Washington Medical Commission to supply limited licenses to international medical graduates when they get nominated by a local chief medical officer.

Rep. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, said during the debate HB 1129 would increase the state’s pool of future doctors by allowing international medical graduates into the state.

“We agree with the amendments that came over from the Senate (but) I think … there is some concern,” Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, said during the debate. “Hopefully we will always get Washington-trained students in those residency slots.”

During the session, the House also approved these bills:

• HB 1073 (56-42): offers a pandemic leave assistance employee grant to specific employees who could not receive benefits from the state’s paid family and medical leave.

• HB 1236 (54-44): modifies the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act by clarifying exclusive causes for eviction, refusal to renew a tenancy and ending a tenancy.

• HB 1097 (in a 53-45 vote): establishes a statutory procedure for employers who are contesting an order of immediate restraint.