New state laws go into effect at the start of 2019

By Gwen Roley

Now that 2019 has come into full swing, here is a look at some of the new Washington state laws that took effect on January 1.

I-1639

With the passage of Initiative 1639, Washington will have one of the strictest gun control laws in the country. The measure effects gun ownership and will be rolled out incrementally in 2019. Starting on January 1, the minimum age to purchase a firearm increased from 18 to 21 years old. Owners of firearms between the ages of 18 and 21 will be grandfathered in and may still keep their rifles at their property, residence or place of business.

Changes to background checks, waiting periods and firearm storage requirements will go into effect in July 2019. At that time, firearm buyers will have to provide proof they completed a rifle training program within the last five years and have no pending criminal charges. A 10-day waiting period and a $25 purchase fee on all firearms will also be imposed. New storage requirements would find a gun owner guilty of community endangerment if they keep firearms in a place where a prohibited person (someone deemed unfit to own a gun) could gain access to it.

Misrepresentation of animals as service companions

House Bill 2822 became law on January 1 and enforces stricter definitions of what constitutes a service animal.

This law firmly defines a service animal as an individual dog or miniature horse that is specially trained to attend to the specific disabilities of its owner. The law adds a new definition for the distinction between emotional support or therapy animals and service animals.

Businesses and landlords have increasingly seen people misrepresenting their pet or therapy animal as a service animal to bring it into a place where it would not usually be allowed. Whether the misrepresentations of the animal is intentional or not, the bill says this pattern raises concerns about the legitimate rights and privileges from people with a disability.

Individuals who misrepresent their pet or emotional support animal could face a $500 fine.

Contraceptives

Health plans in Washington state, which go into effect or are renewed after January 1, are now required to cover contraceptives.

The reproductive health care coverage law, Substitute Senate Bill 6219,  will cover all contraceptive drugs and tools approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration. The law states that coverage providers cannot require copayments or deductibles unless the plan is a part of a health savings account. The findings included in the drafting of the Senate bill said this law aligns with Washington’s long history of protecting gender equity and women’s reproductive health.

Minimum Wage

The minimum wage in Washington rose on January 1 to $12 per hour. This in accordance with an Initiative 1433 passed in 2016, which allowed for the progressive increase of the minimum wage each year until it eventually reaches $13.50 per hour in 2020. This will align with implementation of the Paid Family and Medical Leave law which will take effect at the same time.

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Employers and employees started making payments toward the Washington state paid family and medical leave law during the last week of 2018. The law itself will go into effect in 2020. Premiums of 0.4 percent of wages are being collected with employees paying 63 percent and employers paying 37 percent, depending upon the size of the company. Passed in 2017, the law will provide extended leave of up to 12 weeks for the birth or adoption of a child as well as for serious medical conditions.