A legislative session dominated by budgetary concerns nevertheless has seen some gains for civil liberties A bill passed under which the relationships of same-sex couples married in other states will be recognized for the extensive rights provided to registered domestic partners under Washington law. Other legislation will restrict dissemination of records of rehabilitated juvenile offenders and will prevent automatic deportation of immigrants for misdemeanor convictions.

Significant achievements came in helping to block proposals that would have harmed civil liberties. Broad opposition from civil rights, social justice, and ethnic community groups prevented a flawed “anti-gang” bill from passing. Similarly, measures denying driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, allowing collection of DNA upon arrest, providing for release of jail booking photos, and recording of conversations with only one-party consent were derailed.

ACLU-WA-backed measures to replace the death penalty, rein in government surveillance of political activities, and regulate and tax marijuana all received useful hearings but failed to advance. Regrettably, although the Legislature stepped up to pass a good medical marijuana bill, Gov. Gregoire undid most of the much-needed reform, vetoing sections that established a licensed system of dispensaries and that provided meaningful protection against arrest.

Here are key measures on which the ACLU-WA worked in the 2011 legislative session.