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Sponsor of WA bill on trans youth targeted by right-wing groups

caption: The Washington State Capitol in Olympia.
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The Washington State Capitol in Olympia.
NW News Network

Last month, onlookers gathered at the state Capitol to protest Senate Bill 5599. Despite their objections, the bill, which extends emergency shelter options for youth seeking reproductive or gender-affirming health care, was approved by the Legislature.

The fervor over the issue has brought national attention to the Washington Legislature from right-wing circles.

State Sen. Marko Liias (D–Everett), is the author of the legislation — and thus, the target of a lot of vitriol right now.

Soundside spoke with Sen. Liias to fact check some claims about the bill and discuss his thoughts on the attention from national conservative groups.

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