OLYMPIA…Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced that several of his legislative priorities have survived the Feb. 19 legislative cut-off for bills to pass from their house of origin.

Highlights:

Community Safety:
McKenna’s internet safety legislation to protect Washington children continues to make its way through the Legislature as does his proposed legislation to expand the state employees’ shared leave program to include victims of domestic violence.

Olympia – Attorney General Rob McKenna will visit several schools in Eastern Washington next week as part of the on-going schedule of school visits in his “Operation:  Allied Against Meth” campaign.

When: 
Thursday, February 21, 2008
• 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Toutle Lake High School
• 10:25 – 11:25 a.m. – Wahkiakum High School
• 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. – Kelso High School

OLYMPIA – The Legislature has scheduled public hearings for four measures requested or supported by Attorney General Rob McKenna on Wednesday and Thursday this week, including:

• Adding  victims of domestic violence to the state employee’s shared leave program;
• Protecting consumers from mortgage foreclosure scams;
• Keeping cell phone numbers private; and
• Requiring a police report to be filed in identity theft cases.

 OLYMPIA – As the Washington Legislature moves toward today’s committee cut-off, the bulk of Attorney General Rob McKenna’s priority bills remain alive and moving forward.

 Highlights:

Government Accountability: Three measures requested by McKenna promoting government accountability and access to public records have passed out of committee. 

Company to refund healthcare professionals who bought its hand-washing poster

OLYMPIA – A company that deceived Washington businesses into purchasing labor law and safety posters is prohibited from mailing future advertisements that appear to originate from government-affiliated agencies, the Attorney General’s Office announced today.

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PASCO:  El Procurador del Estado de Washington, Rob McKenna, invita a la comunidad Latina a una reunión comunitaria el Viernes, 22 de Febrero, en Pasco, para informar a la gente sobre los esfuerzos de la Procuraduría con respeto a temas de Robo de Identidad, Compra de Autos, Notarios, y otros temas de protección al consumidor.

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PASCO – Attorney General Rob McKenna invites the Latino community to attend a free town hall meeting on Friday, Feb. 22, in Pasco to learn more about the office’s work in identity theft, car sales, notarios and other consumer protection issues.

SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna announced today that Washington will receive nearly $1.7 million as part of a $41 million settlement between 29 states and Caremark Rx, LLC, one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefits management companies.

As part of the settlement filed today in King County Superior Court, Caremark denied any wrongdoing but agreed to significantly change its business practices.

SEATTLE – CM Travel must refund individuals who answered an employment ad for travel agents but instead were offered opportunities as independent contractors. The Attorney General’s Office announced a settlement today with the Bellevue-based company and its owners, resolving allegations that they violated the state Consumer Protection Act.

OLYMPIA - Attorney General Rob McKenna in conjunction with 48 other states, the District of Columbia and the federal government, today announced a settlement with Merck & Co., Inc. Merck is the manufacturer of the drugs Zocor, Vioxx, and Pepcid. The announcement resolves allegations that the company failed to pay rebates due state Medicaid Programs under the Federal Medicaid Drug Rebate statute. Washington will receive more than $7.4 million as part of two separate global settlements totaling $649 million.