OLYMPIA, Wash. - A bill which will expand state benefits to Veterans who were discharged under unique circumstances has passed both chambers of the State Legislature. 

HB 2014, according to the most recent senate bill report, will expand pre-existing veterans benefits to those who were discharged from service without an official honorable or dishonorable designation, or were discharged due to their sexual orientation under policies like Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. 

Rep. Mike Volz (R), who represents Spokane, was the primary sponsor on the bill. 

“Any service member with any discharge other than a dishonorable one should have access to all veteran benefits and programs,” Volz said. 

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson hailed the bill’s move toward the governor’s desk as a win for those who served time in the military and left due to racial, gender or sexual discrimination, which typically creates a unique designation of having left “under honorable conditions” rather than being officially honorably discharged. 

“Data shows that BIPOC veterans disproportionately receive these characterizations, as well as those who reported sexual assault or experienced mental illness during their service,” Ferguson’s office said. 

Senator John Lovick (D) argued that the bill puts the state government in line with federal standards for veteran’s benefits. 

“If Washington’s veterans can get benefits from the VA, then they should be able to get critical benefits from the state they live in…This simple and long overdue change will improve the lives of tens of thousands of Washington veterans,” Lovick said. 

Having received unanimous support in both chambers, it is likely that the policy will be signed into law in the near future.