That’s the word from West Seattle Rep. Eileen Cody. While we went to Olympia for last week’s public hearing on the bill, EHB 1679, which would prevent catastrophically injured public-safety personnel like former Southwest Precinct SPD Officer Jason McKissack from losing health benefits, we weren’t able to go to today’s vote, but Rep. Cody sent word on the results. Next stop: The State Senate. Last year it made it through the House but stalled in the Senate; if you want to express your opinion, State Sen. Joe McDermott represents our area; his contact info is here. ADDED 5:27 PM: The Seattle Police Guild has just sent a news release with more info – read on to see it:

The Seattle Police officers Guild, Seattle Fire Fighters Local 27 and the Council of Metropolitan Police and Sheriffs are pleased to announce that House Bill 1679, “The Jason McKissack Act” which will provide medical insurance for Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters who are catastrophically disabled in the line of duty unanimously passed the House of Representatives today.

This bill helps to fill a hole that Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters in this state face. Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters put their lives on the line everyday and it is imperative that should they be catastrophically disabled in the line of duty they and their families should be provided medical insurance. Currently line of duty death survivors receive medical benefits if their Law Enforcement Officer or Fire Fighter gives their life in the line of duty. This is not the case for a Law Enforcement Officer or Fire Fighter who manages to survive but is catastrophically disabled. We should never have a situation where a Law Enforcement Officer or Fire Fighters family is better off financially if they had been killed in the line of duty rather than be catastrophically disabled.

Seattle Police Guild President Rich O’Neill stated “the passage of this bill is a major step in ensuring that the state meet the promise they made to Law Enforcement Officers, that they would protect those who put their life on the line everyday for this great state. We are hopeful the Senate will now also pass this bill.”

Local 27 President Kenny Stuart stated “this bill will ensure that a Fire Fighter or Police Officer and their family who suffers a catastrophic injury on duty will not also have to face financial ruin.”

COMPAS Executive Director Renee Maher stated “This bill is an example of the power of bi-partisanship. When we work together, not as Republicans or Democrats but as citizens of the state of Washington we are able to move mountains and together we will take care of these families.”

We jointly urge all citizens of the State of Washington to continue to call and email your Senators to urge them to pass this bill. Everyday Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters put their lives on the line and are the “back-up” for all citizens when they are in need. Our Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters are now in need and we are asking that all of the citizens of Washington now be their “back-up.” Please urge your Senators to support this Bill.