SR 8657
In CommitteeSenate
Menopause support
Calling for improving support for people experiencing menopause.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This resolution affirms the state’s support for improving menopause-related health education, care, and workplace support—especially for underserved groups like transgender and nonbinary people and women of color. It does not create new laws or funding but urges action to address menopause-related health and economic challenges.
- Expresses support for improving tools and treatments to enhance quality of life and health outcomes for people experiencing menopause.
- Highlights the wide-ranging health impacts of menopause—including physical, mental, and social effects—and emphasizes the need for individualized care.
- Acknowledges disparities in menopause experiences, especially for transgender and nonbinary people and women of color.
- Notes the workplace challenges of menopause, including stigma, missed workdays, and economic costs, and supports efforts to reduce these barriers.
- Directs the Washington State Department of Health and the Governor to receive copies of the resolution, signaling intent to encourage policy action.
Who is affected
- People experiencing menopause — People experiencing menopause, especially those with intense or long-lasting symptoms, may benefit from improved support and resources to manage health and well-being.
- Transgender and nonbinary people — Transgender and nonbinary individuals may face additional barriers due to lack of tailored medical guidance and research, and could benefit from more inclusive health resources.
- Women of color — Women of color, who are more likely to experience early menopause and face higher risks of related health conditions like heart disease, may gain from targeted education and preventive care.
- Working-age adults (35+) — Workers in the 35+ age group may benefit from reduced stigma and improved workplace accommodations, potentially reducing missed workdays and economic losses.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
Promotes evidence-based, individualized menopause care—potentially reducing long-term complications like osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline—especially for high-risk groups.
HealthcareRef: Preamble: 'All people who have menstrual periods will experience menopause at some point in their lives...','Provision: 'Expresses support for improving tools and treatments to enhance quality of life and health outcomes for people experiencing menopause'Addresses critical gaps in clinical guidance and provider training for transgender and nonbinary patients, improving access to affirming care.
HealthcareRef: Preamble: 'Transgender and nonbinary people who enter menopause face particular challenges due to the lack of relevant research and medical resources tailored to their needs'Raises awareness of heightened health risks for women of color (e.g., coronary heart disease), supporting future targeted prevention programs.
HealthcareRef: Preamble: 'Women of color are more likely to experience menopause early...','Provision: 'Acknowledges disparities in menopause experiences, especially for transgender and nonbinary people and women of color'Documents economic impact of unaddressed menopause symptoms, supporting future workplace accommodations (e.g., flexible scheduling, temperature control, remote work options) that could reduce workforce attrition.
Business & EmploymentRef: Preamble: 'Nearly 11 percent of women aged 45 to 60 miss work due to symptoms of menopause; The annual cost for those missed work days is $1.8 billion'Reduces workplace stigma, potentially improving mental health and job satisfaction for working-age adults experiencing menopause.
Public SafetyRef: Preamble: 'AARP research has found 56 percent of women 35 and older in the workforce say menopause is taboo, stigmatized, uncomfortable, not discussed in the workplace'
Potential Concerns (5)
Raises public awareness of menopause as a public health issue, potentially reducing stigma and encouraging earlier care-seeking behavior.
Public SafetyRef: Preamble: 'All people who have menstrual periods will experience menopause at some point in their lives...','Transgender and nonbinary people who enter menopause face particular challenges due to the lack of relevant research and medical resources tailored to their needs','Women of color are more likely to experience menopause early...','AARP research has found 56 percent of women 35 and older in the workforce say menopause is taboo...','Nearly 11 percent of women aged 45 to 60 miss work due to symptoms of menopause; The annual cost for those missed work days is $1.8 billion','The resolution directs the Department of Health and Governor to receive copies','Provision: 'Expresses support for improving tools and treatments to enhance quality of life and health outcomes for people experiencing menopause'Affirms inclusion of transgender and nonbinary people in menopause-related health policy, countering erasure and promoting equitable access to care.
Rights & LibertiesRef: Preamble: 'Transgender and nonbinary people who enter menopause face particular challenges due to the lack of relevant research and medical resources tailored to their needs'Highlights documented health disparities (e.g., earlier menopause, higher cardiovascular risk among women of color), encouraging targeted public health responses.
HealthcareRef: Preamble: 'Women of color are more likely to experience menopause early...','Provision: 'Acknowledges disparities in menopause experiences, especially for transgender and nonbinary people and women of color'Documents workplace impacts of menopause (absenteeism, stigma), laying groundwork for future policy interventions to improve workforce retention and productivity.
Business & EmploymentRef: Preamble: 'Nearly 11 percent of women aged 45 to 60 miss work due to symptoms of menopause; The annual cost for those missed work days is $1.8 billion'Creates symbolic pressure on state agencies to prioritize menopause-related policy development, though no funding or mandate is imposed.
Local GovernmentRef: Preamble: 'The resolution directs the Washington State Department of Health and the Governor to receive copies of the resolution'
Who Is Most Affected
People experiencing menopause—especially those with severe or long-lasting symptoms—may benefit from reduced stigma, improved access to care, and future workplace accommodations, though the resolution itself imposes no direct obligations.
Transgender and nonbinary people face significant gaps in clinical guidance and affirming care; this resolution explicitly acknowledges their needs, potentially spurring inclusive policy development.
Women of color, who face earlier menopause and higher cardiovascular risk, may benefit from future targeted public health interventions, though the resolution does not guarantee funding or implementation.
Employers (especially large ones) may face future regulatory or accommodation requirements if this resolution leads to legislation, but the resolution itself is non-binding and imposes no costs.
State agencies (DoH, Governor’s office) gain political pressure to prioritize menopause policy, but no new funding or mandates are attached, so fiscal impact is minimal.