The “Nothing About Us Without Us” Act was signed into law by Washington Governor Jay Inslee on March 24. Under the new law, state task forces will be required to appoint members who have lived experience of the issues on the task force’s agenda.
Beginning in 2025, any legislature-created policy advisory committee, work group, or task force examining a topic centered on underrepresented groups must include on the panel at least three members with lived experience of the issue and who are members of underrepresented communities.
“People with direct lived experience with a particular issue are experts in their own lives and experience and are best equipped to find solutions to those issues,” the bill text reads. “When people with direct lived experience have a seat at the table, Washington thrives.”
The bill also calls for work groups to reflect multiple kinds of diversity across any policy issue, including members from urban and rural communities and with differing cultural and economic circumstances.
Under the new law, the state will also collect insights and anonymous data on the diversity of task force membership and participation. The Washington Office of Equity will analyze the information in an annual report to the legislature, including recommendations for how to further decrease barriers to task force participation.