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Keiser’s involuntary commitment bill signed into law 5/21/2013
Information from family and friends soon will be considered when a licensed mental health professional and the court determine whether someone should be involuntarily committed for mental health treatment, thanks to legislation signed into law today by Gov. Jay Inslee.
"People who may need to be committed and receive treatment don’t always present symptoms when being examined and assessed; someone might exhibit none of the signs that immediate commitment is warranted,” said Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, the sponsor of Senate Bill 5480. “But friends and family who see that person from day to day often see behavior and telltale signs that won’t show up in a single examination.”
Keiser’s unused prescriptions bill signed into law 5/17/2013
Health care professionals and medical facilities will soon be able to donate unused, unopened prescription drugs for distribution to people without health insurance, thanks to legislation signed into law today by Gov. Jay Inslee.
"Every day, we dispose of valuable prescription drugs simply because their recipients have died or no longer need the prescriptions, and meanwhile there are people going without medication simply because they cannot afford it,” said Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, the sponsor of Senate Bill 5148. “This will provide vital drugs for people who cannot afford them, provided the drugs have not been opened and are still sealed and still well within their expiration dates.”
Mental health: substantial policy progress accomplished this session 4/28/2013
OLYMPIA — Every legislative session a myriad of bills are introduced, great debate occurs, but most policy dies for a variety of reasons. This year, mental health was the exception.
Considerable progress was accomplished on meaningful mental health policy through a bipartisan effort, led by Democrats.
Innovative health care policies pass the Legislature 4/24/2013
OLYMPIA — Four key health care policies sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D—Kent, have been passed by the Legislature and are on their way to becoming law.
“I am happy that we have finally moved beyond the debate over health reform and are creating health policies for the future,” said Keiser, ranking member on the health care committee.
Yet again, Republicans roadblock women’s access to reproductive health care insurance 4/16/2013
OLYMPIA — For the fifth time this legislative session, the Republican-led majority roadblocked the Reproductive Parity Act (RPA) that would ensure women have the freedom to make health care decisions that are right for themselves and their families.
Using a procedural motion called the Ninth Order, Democrats attempted to force a vote on the Reproductive Parity Act, House Bill 1044. The motion failed on the Senate floor, on a 25–23 vote, with all members of the Republican majority voting in lockstep against it.
Listen to the 33rd Legislative District Telephone Town Hall 4/2/2013
Senator Karen Keiser, Representatives Tina Orwall and Dave Upthegrove held a telephone town hall on Thursday, March 28. If you missed it, you can listen to it now:
Republicans roadblock women’s access to reproductive health care insurance 4/1/2013
OLYMPIA — In what can only be seen as a disregard for women’s access to reproductive health care, the Republican-led Senate Health Care Committee today refused to pass the Reproductive Parity Act (RPA), House Bill 1044, out of committee and on to the full Senate for further debate.
AUDIO: Sen. Keiser talks RPA on KVI radio 3/26/2013
Sen. Karen Keiser joined KVI radio host John Carlson on Monday to discuss the Reproductive Parity Act.
International women leaders, legislators share best practices in Olympia 3/22/2013
AUDIO: Keiser bill addresses public safety and mental health treatment 3/21/2013
A bill moving in the Washington State Legislature is designed to protect the public and men and women suffering from mental illnesses. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
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