We are reaching out to ask that you take action today and connect with your state Senator asking them to Vote YES for the Modernizing the Control of Certain Communicable Diseases bill, or ESHB 1551.
What this new law does:
The proposed legislation would modernize our laws around the control and treatment of communicable diseases. The bill would, among many other things:
Repeal the felony law used to prosecute HIV exposure or transmission to reflect today’s current medical treatment and science
Repeal outdated STD & HIV specific laws that are no longer used or are not based on current science
Help reduce stigma and health disparities
We need you to support this bill to counter the fear-mongering opposition.
To contact your state Senator and ask that they bring ESHB 1551 to the floor for a vote:
Go to leg.wa.gov/
Click on "Find Your District" on the left hand column
Enter your physical address into the field provided
Your district number and legislators will come up in a box
Click the names and that will give you contact info on how to reach them via email or phone
Example email or information for a quick phone call:
SUBJECT LINE: IN SUPPORT OF ESHB 1551
EMAIL TEXT:
Hello Senator { NAME }: I live in your district and am a constituent of yours. I'm contacting you to voice my support in favor of ESHB 1551, specifically for the work that has been done—in collaboration with the community and community providers—to modernize aspects of our outdated health code laws. We are on the cusp of ending transmissions of HIV in Washington and we need these laws to align with current medical science and the tools we already have in our care and prevention services toolkits.
I am advocating that you vote YES for ESHB 1551.
Regards,
YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME
_____________________________________________
Lifelong has been caring and advocating for the HIV community for over 35 years. Our mission is to not only provide vital food, housing and support services but also fight for health equity for those living with HIV and other life-challenging illnesses. One way to do this is through changes to the system.
Lifelong has been working with our partners across Washington for the past several years to introduce legislative language to update HIV laws in Washington state.
Thank you for your continued support of Lifelong and the thousands of people we serve each year!