Washington House Votes Unanimously To Limit Disclosure Of Religious Affiliation
Listen
Comments Donald Trump made on the campaign trail led to concerns that he would create a database to track Muslims in the U.S.. In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the Washington state House has said “no” to cooperating with such an effort.
The 98-0 vote united Democrats and Republicans in affirming religious protection in Washington. The measure would prohibit state or local governments from providing information to the federal government about someone’s religious beliefs — except in cases where a crime occurred.
It would also bar state and local police from collecting information about someone’s religious beliefs or practices unless there was a “clear nexus” with criminal activity. And it would prevent employers from requiring their employees to disclose their religious affiliation unless it was to accommodate their beliefs in the workplace.
Democrat Derek Stanford sponsored the legislation and called it a firewall to protect from religious registries.
“Right now people and religious organizations in our state are fearful, they’re fearful for their safety and security because of rhetoric recently at the national level,” Stanford said.
The measure now goes to the Republican-led Washington Senate.
As president Trump has not proposed a Muslim registry. In December, his campaign issued a statement that said, “President-elect Trump has never advocated for any registry or system that tracks individuals based on their religion[, and to imply otherwise is completely false.”
Related Stories:
Worms eating airport deicer fluid could be greener approach to airline waste
The Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco is piloting a new program that could lead the country in cleanly disposing of deicing wastewater using worms. (Credit: BioFiltro) Listen (Runtime 0:57) Read To… Continue Reading Worms eating airport deicer fluid could be greener approach to airline waste
AMBER Alert canceled for Tri-Cities boy, double murder suspect self-inflicts gunshot after police pursuit
Updated at 4 p.m.: The manhunt for Elias Huizar is over. The missing boy was not harmed, according to police. Investigators say Huizar shot himself after a police pursuit in… Continue Reading AMBER Alert canceled for Tri-Cities boy, double murder suspect self-inflicts gunshot after police pursuit
Rural Alzheimer’s, dementia patients face disparities in access to care
New research shows that people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias who live in rural areas often have trouble seeing a neurologist.
Continue Reading Rural Alzheimer’s, dementia patients face disparities in access to care