OLYMPIA – Rep. Jenny Graham from Spokane is advocating house bill 1584 during the 60-day legislative session currently running in Washington State, and this bill proposes the state build a scholarship fund for the victims of violent crimes and their families.
The dual-party bill was formally introduced at the end of the 2021 legislative session, and is currently in the House College and Workforce Development Committee according to a recent press release.
Graham said that violent crimes are increasing across Washington state and the country, and she wants the bipartisan nature of the bill to be recognized by the majority party in Olympia, and hopes to get enough support for a public hearing.
Graham said she also backs an amendment that would name HB 1584 as “Lilly’s Law.” The namesake comes from a Spokane case in which a five-year-old girl named Lilly was stabbed and left with serious injuries and her mother was killed.
The lawmaker said it is due to instances such as this that motivated her to write house bill 1584 and stated, “Lilly’s mother was a single mom. She of course had friends and family in her life, but at the end of the day, she is no longer here to help Lilly pursue any dream she has of attending college, university, or apprenticeship program,” said Graham. “Our state currently has a multi-billion-dollar surplus. I think we have a duty to take care of the victims of violent crime and their immediate families.”
In a recent press release Graham said, “If the Legislature is going to pass laws that make it easier for violent criminals to commit their crimes, with little to no accountability, the Legislature should step up to the plate and fund the post-secondary education, including apprenticeships, for those whose fathers and mothers have been murdered.”
This year’s legislation will also implement COVID protocols, and will be held virtually so lawmakers can participate remotely.
Matthew can be reached at [email protected]
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