Firesteel

The Washington State Legislature officially adjourned its 105-day session on April 27, 2025 — and what a session it was! Through long hearings, budget negotiations, and powerful testimony, we witnessed the strength of collective action in real time. With dozens of impactful bills passed and critical funding secured for gender-based violence services, housing, reproductive health, and economic stability, this year’s session marked significant progress for our communities.

At YWCA, our mission is to eliminate racism, empower women, and ensure all people in our community have the opportunity to thrive. That means working alongside shoulder-to-shoulder with advocates, survivors, and partners across the state to advance policies that center safety, justice, equity, and healing. Below is a roundup of key legislative wins — and what they mean for us all.
 

These bills were officially signed by the governor:

✅ House Bill 1858 – Document Recording Fees
Removes a longstanding exemption that previously diverted funds from the Document Recording Fee and the Covenant Homeownership Program. This change secures more stable, reliable funding for affordable housing and supportive services that help prevent homelessness.

✅ Senate Bill 5356 – Law Enforcement Training
Expands training requirements for law enforcement, peace officers, and campus Title IX investigators. The bill emphasizes trauma-informed, survivor-centered approaches—vital steps in building trust and safety for survivors navigating systems of protection and justice.

✅ Senate Bill 5498 – Access to Contraception
Requires health insurers to cover a 12-month supply of contraceptives when prescribed. This bill reduces barriers to reproductive autonomy and is especially critical for survivors facing reproductive coercion or abuse.

✅ Senate Bill 5202 – Domestic Violence Protective Orders
Strengthens enforcement of protective orders and enhances legal mechanisms that keep survivors safe. Ensuring the integrity of judicial protections is an essential part of survivor-centered harm reduction.

✅ Second Substitute House Bill 1696 – Covenant Homeownership Program Expansion
Expands access to the Covenant Homeownership Program by allowing more people to qualify based on income. It also introduces loan forgiveness after five years for individuals earning no more than 80% of the Area Median Income—an important pathway to homeownership for communities historically excluded from it.

✅ Engrossed House Bill 1217 – Rent Stabilization
Places a cap on rent increases at 7%, bringing stability to renters across the state and providing relief to low-income households struggling to keep up with housing costs. This is especially impactful for survivors rebuilding their lives after violence.

✅ House Bill 2015 – Public Safety Investment
Improves public safety funding by providing local governments and criminal justice agencies with resources to implement reforms. Includes grant programs for alternative response teams and public defense support.

For the full list of bills we supported and tracked this session check out our 2025 Bill Tracker.
 

Gender-Based Violence Services Funding

We are thrilled to report that the state’s final budget includes $20 million for domestic and sexual violence survivor services. While short of our $25 million goal, this funding marks a major victory and a powerful step forward from previous proposals of zero funding.

These funds support critical programs such as:

• Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), Rape Prevention and Education (RPE), Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancements and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA), and Survivor’s FIRST, YWCA's very own trauma-informed, community-based support model. This ensures survivors have continued access to emergency shelter, crisis response, safety planning, and prevention education statewide. 

Economic Security for All (EcSA) / Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF) Funding 

This year’s budget reduced EcSA funding by $8 million and reallocated Community Reinvestment Fund resources to $30 million in the Senate budget and $25 million in the House budget (down from $200 million previously). These funds are vital for community-based programs that address economic disparities and support workforce development.

Other Notable Budget Highlights:

• $13 million for the Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) Program
• $81 million for Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) capital projects
• $90 million to transition individuals from encampments to housing
• $100 million in law enforcement and public safety grants
• $111 million in local grants for homelessness programs
• $125 million for climate resilience and clean energy grants
• $200 million for the Covenant Homeownership Program
• $288 million swept from the Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA), offset by $100M in construction bonds
• $605 million allocated to the Housing Trust Fund
• $1.2 billion for homelessness and affordable housing
   

These wins directly support YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women. With expanded funding for gender-based violence services, protections for renters, access to reproductive health, and investments in housing and economic security, our communities are more stable and resilient.
 

While this legislative session brought meaningful wins, the work doesn’t end here. 

We will remain vigilant as implementation begins and continue advocating for deeper investments in equity, justice, and safety for all. We will also work to ensure that the voices of survivors and community members remain central to every policy conversation. 

Creating lasting change takes all of us — and there are so many ways to stay involved. Whether you’re raising your voice, sharing your story, or showing up in your community, your engagement matters. Join us as we continue to push for equity, safety, and justice for all.

Take action with us! Here's how:

• Visit our Firesteel Action Center to contact lawmakers and support key issues that help eliminate racism and empower women.
• Sign up for Action Alerts to get stay in the loop on upcoming campaigns and advocacy opportunities.
• Join GenNext, our community of advocates who celebrate and participate in YWCA’s mission-aligned programs and services and policy initiatives.
   

This session wouldn’t have been what it was without the tireless work of you, me, and every single person who wrote an email, made a call, testified on Zoom, or held space for justice. Your voice helped pass laws, protect funding, and shape a better future.

Together, we moved the needle. And we’re not done yet.

Stay tuned for more updates, reflections, and next steps as we keep building a world rooted in dignity, freedom, and liberation. One great way to stay connected? Subscribe to our Firesteel newsletter for the latest in advocacy, action alerts, and opportunities to get involved.