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BILL · 2009–10 SESSION

HB 1596: Woman's right to breastfeed

Protecting a woman's right to breastfeed in a place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement.

Summary

Declares that the right of a mother to breastfeed her child in public places is a civil right protected under the state's law against discrimination.

From the House Bill Report (HB 1596), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 164, Laws of 2009

IntroducedJan 26, 2009
Out of committeeFeb 16, 2009
Passed HouseMar 3, 2009
Passed SenateApr 7, 2009
GovernorApr 22, 2009
LawApr 24, 2009

Prime sponsor: Tami Green (D-28)
Introduced: January 26, 2009 in the House
Last action: April 24, 2009
Session law: Chapter 164, Laws of 2009
Budget: Has a fiscal note

AN ACT Relating to protecting a woman's right to breastfeed in a place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Tami Green (D-28)

15 co-sponsors (14 Democrats, 1 Republican)

Senator D-22 Zack Hudgins D-11 Brendan Williams D-22 Christine Rolfes D-23 Dawn Morrell D-25 Tom Campbell R-2 Mary Helen Roberts D-21 Ruth Kagi D-32 Mary Lou Dickerson D-36 Roger Goodman D-45 Dave Upthegrove D-33 Geoff Simpson D-47 Jim Moeller D-49 Timm Ormsby D-3 Sharon Nelson D-34

Votes

House · Final Passage

Passed March 3, 2009

Version voted on: HB 1596

93 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 4 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	59	0	0	3
Republican	34	0	0	1

How each member voted

Yea (93)

Excused (4)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed April 7, 2009

Version voted on: HB 1596

46 Yea 0 Nay 1 Absent 2 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	28	0	1	2
Republican	18	0	0	0

How each member voted

Yea (46)

Absent (1)

Rosemary McAuliffe D-1

Excused (2)

Jean Berkey D-38
Darlene Fairley D-32

Permalink to this vote

History

Apr 24, 2009Effective date 7/26/2009.
Apr 24, 2009Chapter 164, 2009 Laws.
Apr 22, 2009Governor signed.
Apr 16, 2009Delivered to Governor.
Apr 10, 2009President signed.
Apr 9, 2009Speaker signed.
Apr 7, 2009Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 0; absent, 1; excused, 2.
Apr 7, 2009Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Apr 6, 2009Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 31, 2009Made eligible to be placed on second reading.
Mar 26, 2009HEA - Majority; do pass.
Mar 26, 2009Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 17, 2009Referred to Health & Long-Term Care.
Mar 17, 2009And refer to Health & Long-Term Care.
Mar 17, 2009GO - Majority; without recommendation.
Mar 5, 2009First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections.
Mar 3, 2009Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Mar 3, 2009Third reading, passed; yeas, 93; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.
Feb 19, 2009Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 16, 2009Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 12, 2009SGTA - Majority; do pass.
Feb 12, 2009SGTA - Executive action taken by committee.
Jan 26, 2009First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs.

HB 1596 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

HB 1596 (2025–26) Speeding · Enacted · Chapter 228, Laws of 2025
HB 1596 (2023–24) Affordable housing incentive · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1596 (2021–22) Long-term care/outside WA · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1596 (2019–20) Flexibility schools & zones · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1596 (2017–18) Electronics chemicals report · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1596 (2015–16) Surgical technologists · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1596 (2013–14) Physician assistants · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1596 (2011–12) Cities w/ambulance utilities · Enacted · Chapter 139, Laws of 2011

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