The House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee convened on March 14, 2025, to discuss Substitute Senate Bill 5093, which addresses issues surrounding pregnancy loss. The bill aims to amend existing laws related to the treatment of deceased infants and the responsibilities of county coroners and medical examiners.

The meeting began with an overview of the bill's provisions. It proposes three significant changes: the repeal of the crime of concealing a birth, the removal of jurisdiction from coroners and medical examiners over bodies resulting from known or suspected abortions, premature births, or stillbirths, and the requirement for correctional institutions to report annually on the number of miscarriages, stillbirths, or perinatal losses occurring within their facilities.

The bill's sponsor, Senator Manka Dingra, emphasized the need for this legislation in light of rising criminal charges against pregnant individuals in other states. She noted that Washington has not seen similar increases in prosecutions since the Dobbs decision, but existing statutes still pose a risk of criminalization for pregnancy loss. Senator Dingra argued that families should not face criminal investigations during such a painful time and that the bill seeks to protect their emotional well-being.

During the discussion, Representative Jacobson raised concerns about the implications of removing coroner jurisdiction, particularly regarding autopsies for stillborn infants. Senator Dingra clarified that while the bill removes automatic jurisdiction, it does not prevent coroners from conducting autopsies if requested.

The committee also addressed questions about the necessity of repealing the crime of concealing a birth, which has not been enforced since its enactment in 1909. Senator Dingra reiterated that the repeal is essential to align with current laws that recognize abortion as legal in Washington and to eliminate outdated statutes that could lead to unnecessary investigations into pregnancy loss.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of ensuring that families dealing with pregnancy loss are not subjected to criminal scrutiny. The bill is set to provide clearer guidelines and protections for individuals experiencing such losses, with the first report on miscarriage and stillbirth data from correctional facilities due by June 30, 2027. The committee will continue to review the bill as it progresses through the legislative process.