WA People
BILL · 2017–18 SESSION

SB 5566: Mental health/civil rights

Concerning admissibility of mental health evidence in claims for noneconomic damages under certain civil rights laws.

Summary

  • Limits the admissibility of evidence of the mental health of a claimant seeking non-economic damages under the Washington Law Against Discrimination.
  • Provides three exceptions to the limit where the claimant alleges a diagnosable injury, or relies on testimony of a health care provider, or alleges discrimination on the basis of a disability.
  • Limits the exceptions in time, starting two years prior to the first alleged unlawful act.
  • Requires the admission of evidence to specifically relate to the provided exceptions.

From the Senate Bill Report (Orig.) (SB 5566), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee
  1. IntroducedJan 27, 2017
  2. Out of committeestopped here
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Patty Kuderer (D-48)
Introduced
January 27, 2017 in the Senate
Last action
January 8, 2018

AN ACT Relating to the admissibility of mental health evidence in claims for noneconomic damages under certain civil rights laws;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Patty Kuderer (D-48)

5 co-sponsors (5 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Jamie Pedersen D-43Karen Keiser D-33Bob Hasegawa D-11Andy Billig D-3Maralyn Chase D-32

Votes

No recorded floor votes. This measure never reached a floor vote.

History

  1. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  2. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  3. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  4. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  5. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

SB 5566 in other sessions

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

Report wrong or missing information on this page