Several new laws take effect in Washington on July 1. Here’s what you need to know

by Erin Robinson with KXLY.comSeveral new laws take effect in Washington on July 1. Here’s what you need to know – KXLY

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Several laws – including bans on high-capacity ammunition magazines, ghost guns and the cash sale of catalytic converters – will go into effect in Washington on Friday. 

Here is what you need to know: 

Ban on high-capacity ammo magazines

The sale of ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds will be banned in Washington state starting on July 1. Importing, manufacturing and distributing them will also be outlawed. 

The only magazines allowed for sale and importing will be those with a maximum capacity of 10 cartridges under a measure pushed through by Democrats and signed by Governor Jay Inslee earlier this year. 

READ: High-capacity ammo magazines will be banned starting July 1 

Ban on ‘ghost guns’

A new law regulating the manufacturing, assembling, selling, transferring or purchasing of untraceable firearms, also known as “ghost guns,” goes into effect Friday. 

The law states that “knowingly or recklessly possessing, transporting, or receiving” untraceable firearms will be prohibited by March 10, 2023. 

Ban on cash sales of catalytic converters

A new law taking effect Friday bans businesses from paying cash for catalytic converters. Instead, businesses must use a traceable source and show records of their transactions. 

Alerts for missing Indigenous people begin

Washington now has a statewide alert system for missing Indigenous people. It is the first of its kind in the U.S. and is a system similar to Amber Alerts and silver alerts. 

When an Indigenous person is reported missing, it will be broadcasted on digital highway billboards and social media. 

The system was put into place earlier in June, but the alerts begin Friday. 

Cost of license plates to increase

Motorists will pay more for a Washington license plate starting Friday. The price of a new plate will rise from $10 to $50, while replacing a lost plate will increase from $10 to $30. 

For motorcyclists, the cost of a license plate will go from $4 to $20 and a replacement will cost $12, also up from $4. 

The Washington Department of Licensing says the increase in fees will go toward transportation projects across the state, where $17 billion will be spent over the course of 16 years. 

Free or discounted hospital care

Around 4 million Washingtonians will qualify for free or discounted care at local hospitals as new legislation requires large hospital systems to provide more financial assistance.

The new law, which becomes effective July 1, increases eligibility for full write-offs or out-of-pocket hospital costs. It ensures Washingtonians within 300 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for financial assistance, with discounts up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level for the vast majority of Washington hospital beds.

Photo:

Uncredited – hogp, Phoenix Police Department

This photo provided by the Phoenix Police Department shows stolen catalytic converters that were recoverd after detectives served a search warrant at a storage unit in Phoenix on Thursday, May 27, 2022. The bust came amid a national surge in thefts of the pricy auto parts that play a critical in reducing vehicle emissions and has led lawmakers in 36 states and in Washington D.C. to consider new laws to address the problem