SB 5499 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Codifying the body scanner program at the department of corrections.

Washington State's SB 5499 codifies the existing body scanner program at two correctional facilities (Washington Corrections Center for Women and one male facility) to detect contraband and reduce strip searches. The bill requires scanners meeting safety standards to identify items under clothing or in body cavities, mandates gender-responsive policies, and specifies that individuals with positive scans for contraband must undergo substance use disorder assessments and treatment. It also sets radiation safety protocols, requires annual reporting on scanner results and contraband types, and tracks radiation exposure limits for staff and individuals. The law directly affects incarcerated people, staff, visitors, and contractors entering participating facilities by changing security screening procedures.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 12, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means.
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
And refer to Ways & Means.
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
HS - Majority; do pass.
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 8:00 AM.
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 1:30 PM.
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors