Travis Alert bill passes Legislature

OLYMPIA – A bill named for a Wapato boy with autism is headed to the governor’s desk.

Senators unanimously approved House Bill 1258 Monday. The bill is also known as the “Travis Alert Act,” named for Travis King, a 12-year-old Wapato boy.

Rep. Gina McCabe’s bill would require the state to create a training program for emergency workers on how to deal with people who have disabilities. It would also have the state study the feasibility of allowing information about a disabled person be displayed in the 911 call system to alert police, firefighters and paramedics about a person’s condition.

The information would be voluntarily provided by family members.

It is the second time the Goldendale Republican has sponsored the bill. Last year, the bill never got a vote in the Senate before the Legislature adjourned.