OLYMPIA – A bill introduced this week would extend Washington’s anti-discrimination law to veterans or people with military status.
The same bill passed the House last year with a strong vote of 96-2, but it did not make it to a final vote in the Senate.
The state’s anti-discrimination law covers housing, employment, insurance and lending.
The main voice for the legislation this year is new Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, who is a veteran.
Hobbs drew on his own experiences after serving in Kosovo and Iraq, as well as those of his military comrades, in deciding to push the bill this session.
Hobbs recalls being asked questions during job interviews about whether he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder or would be bothered by working with people opposed to the war in Iraq.
“I want to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” he said.
Hobbs’ experiences and those of other veterans in Washington have brought overwhelming support from numerous legislators.
Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who was the primary sponsor of the bill in 2006, plans to sign on as No. 2 and press to get it passed this session.
He predicts that it will have a smooth passage into law this session and attributes last year’s failure to logistics.
“I think (the bill) simply ran out of time last year,” he said. “It continues to be an important issue.”
Many were surprised to learn how prevalent this type of discrimination is.
“We have tried in our laws to give preference to veterans and those in service,” proponent Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, said. “So it was alarming to me that they were being discriminated against.”
Kilmer recalls speaking with a Bremerton-based soldier who was turned down for a job because of his service.
“The more people I spoke with, the more I heard that his story was not at all uncommon,” he said.
The bill is not expected to face much opposition.
“I would think that we would all support anything having to do with veterans,” said Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett.
Rep. Chris Strow, R-Freeland, who signed on to the bill last year, says he also will support it in the House this time around.
“It is a protection that is important,” he said. “There are individuals who have disdain for people who choose to serve.”
Kilmer agreed that the legislation is as important now as it has been in the past.
“It’s just the right thing to do,” he said. “If you’re willing to serve our country, you shouldn’t suffer financially for that.”
Both agreed that Hobbs was taking the necessary steps to help the bill succeed by introducing it at the start of the longer, 105-day session.
“Timing is critical,” Berkey said. “I think we are on the right track.”
Reporter Whitney Cork: 360-352-8624 or wcork@heraldnet.com.
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