Concerning public records concerning homicide cases.

HB 2356 would allow homicide victims' next of kin (spouse, parents, siblings, or children, excluding perpetrators) to request a court block public access to related case records. The bill amends Washington's public records law (RCW 42.56.540) to give families a formal legal process - via court motion with affidavit - to seek confidentiality for homicide case documents. This directly affects families of homicide victims who wish to limit public disclosure of sensitive case details. The bill is currently prefiling (2026) and has not yet become law.