Benton successful in getting bills passed, keeping good ideas alive

April 13, 2007

OLYMPIA…Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, says it takes good ideas when you’re in the superminority to get things done.

“I’ve got two bills on the governor’s desk, the Chelsea Harrison Act is still alive, and my employee notification bill is coming back to the Senate for concurrence in technical changes,” Benton said. 

On the governor’s desk:
Substitute Senate Bill 5839, preventing false reports of child abuse

·      Removes the word “maliciously” from the false reporting statute, making it easier to hold people who make false reports accountable. A false report is a misdemeanor.

·      Requires CPS to include a clear statement that false reporting is a crime in any materials relating to the reporting of abuse or neglect.

·      Requires CPS to send a certified letter to individuals determined to have made a false report warning that subsequent false reports will be referred to law enforcement for investigation.

Substitute Senate Bill 5715, streamlining insurance sellers licensing

·      Modifies licensing provisions for persons selling, soliciting, or negotiating insurance.

·      Creates one insurance producer license and insurance producer licensing process instead of a separate license for agents and brokers. 

Chelsea Harrison Act
Benton’s bill this year to create the Chelsea Harrison Act, Senate Bill 5502, died in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Although not on that committee, Benton was able to get his bill amended onto Substitute Senate Bill 5964, which passed the Senate unanimously. When SB 5964 died in committee in the House, Benton amended the Chelsea Harrison Act to Engrossed House Bill 2070. HB 2070 as amended passed the Senate unanimously and is now in the House for concurrence. 

Employee Notification
Substitute Senate Bill 5702 requires employers not subject to the state unemployment tax to post a notice in a conspicuous place to notify employees they are not eligible for unemployment benefits based on their employment with that organization. The House consolidated the provisions into one section. The bill will be placed on the Senate concurrence, the last step before going to the governor. 

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Additional contact Penny Drost at (360) 786-7522
or penny.drost@leg.wa.gov