Senate passes Roger Freeman Act in honor of late legislator to help families in need

Published 6:43 pm Wednesday, April 15, 2015

The late Rep. Roger Freeman’s influence still echoes in the Legislature with a bill passed unanimously in the Senate on Wednesday.

The bill will help families struggling to pay for court-ordered services and began under the leadership of Freeman last year. Legislators named the bill the Roger Freeman Act.

“I am honored to do my part to continue Roger’s work on behalf of families in need,” said 30th District Sen. Mark Miloscia, R-Federal Way, and legislative seat mate to Freeman. “This bill is just a part of the legacy of compassionate leadership Roger embodied and it is important that we finish this work — for Roger and the families he fought for.”

House Bill 2140 would stop parental rights being stripped from individuals going through chemical dependency treatment or determined to be financially unable to afford services required by the court. Advocates sought these protections for parental rights in order to keep families together when going through difficult times. The bill has already passed unanimously in the House and awaits concurrence with the House before being signed into law.

Miloscia added, “I know Roger would be glad that the work he started continues today and we honored his efforts today by passing this bill.”

Freeman, state representative for the 30th Legislative District, passed away in October after a battle with cancer.