Sen. Mike Padden, Chair of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, announced today that the interim committee work session scheduled for June 16 will now include a discussion of the independence of hearings officers at state agencies. The topic was added in response to a recent whistleblower complaint filed by a hearings officer at the Office of Insurance Commissioner, based on her claims that she was improperly pressured by a senior official at the OIC to decide a high profile case in favor of the agency.
Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said that the claims made by Chief Presiding Officer Patricia Petersen raise serious concerns that should be investigated and resolved. Continue reading
Washington State’s 4th District Senator, Mike Padden, Chair of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, talks about his bill to make state anti-trafficking laws include expanding the definition of “communication with a minor for immoral purposes” to cover the purchase or sale of commercial sex acts and sex trafficking; add to the definition of first- and second-degree trafficking; and make the penalties for those who patronize child prostitutes stronger.