HB 2648 requires Washington state and local peace officers to activate body and dash cameras when encountering individuals suspected of conducting federal immigration enforcement. Officers must immediately report such encounters to their agency and document the interaction, including verifying the person's identity if safe to do so. The bill protects officers from liability in civil or criminal cases if they follow these procedures in good faith while acting within their job duties. It directly affects all on-duty Washington peace officers during interactions with federal immigration officials.
HB 2602 establishes protections against immigration enforcement in Washington's early learning centers, schools, health care facilities, and colleges. The bill prohibits these institutions from collecting immigration or citizenship status information from students or patients and requires immigration officers to present a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or court order to enter nonpublic areas like classrooms or patient treatment rooms. It also mandates that facilities designate nonpublic areas and document denials of access to immigration officers. These provisions apply to all Washington residents using these public accommodations, aiming to safeguard privacy and safety during essential services.
HB 2597 creates a legal remedy for people whose constitutional rights are violated during civil immigration enforcement actions in Washington, such as detention, questioning, or removal by government officials. It allows victims to sue for damages and seek attorney fees if they win their case, with lawsuits required to be filed within two years of the violation. The law specifically applies to actions taken "under color of law" during immigration enforcement, covering both immigrants and U.S. citizens within Washington's jurisdiction. It aligns with federal constitutional protections but does not override existing defenses like sovereign immunity.
HB 2250 limits hospital charity care eligibility to Washington state residents, directly affecting hospitals and patients seeking free care. The bill requires hospitals to restrict charity care to individuals meeting specific residency criteria, such as living in Washington with intent to stay indefinitely, entering for work, or being a child with a resident parent. Exceptions include emergency care under federal law, children under 18, and those receiving state/federal payments (like foster care assistance), while explicitly prohibiting immigration status from being considered. It clarifies that non-residents, including those seeking routine care, cannot access charity care, aiming to prevent strain on hospital capacity and cost increases for Washington residents. The law takes immediate effect and amends existing hospital charity care statutes.
HB 2411 expands Washington state employees' shared leave eligibility to include victims of hate crimes and situations involving immigration enforcement actions affecting the employee or their relative. It adds two specific qualifying reasons to existing shared leave provisions: (1) being a victim of a hate crime, and (2) needing time off due to immigration enforcement actions like detention, deportation, or related family separation. The bill includes strict protections, requiring employers to accept written statements or documentation from advocates (not disclosing immigration status) and prohibiting the sharing of personally identifiable immigration information. This policy change directly affects state employees facing these specific circumstances, allowing them to use shared leave without pay while maintaining confidentiality about immigration status.
HB 2312 authorizes Washington state employees to take unpaid "shared leave" when they or a covered family member face immigration enforcement actions like detention, court appearances, or deportation proceedings. It defines "family member" broadly to include household members relying on the employee for care, and requires employers to protect immigration status details when verifying leave. Employees can provide documentation from advocates/attorneys or a written statement without revealing sensitive information, and employers must redact any immigration data in verification. This leave is only available after employees exhaust other leave options, and it applies to state employees covered under existing shared leave policies.
HB 2641 prohibits Washington state law enforcement agencies (both general and limited authority) from hiring individuals who became sworn officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on or after January 20, 2025. The law applies only to future hires, not current employees, and takes effect October 1, 2026. It directly affects Washington agencies seeking new sworn officers by restricting recruitment from a specific federal agency. The bill does not alter existing employment contracts or impact other federal law enforcement roles.
SB 5852 requires Washington employers to notify workers and their representatives within 72 hours if a federal agency conducts an inspection of employment verification forms (I-9) or worker records. It mandates posting multilingual notices in workplaces and sending written notices to all current and recent workers (within the last three years), including details about the federal agency and inspection. The law aims to ensure immigrant workers are informed during federal immigration enforcement actions, with notices required in the five most commonly used non-English languages in the state. Employers must also provide affected workers with copies of federal inspection results. This applies to all Washington employers, including state agencies and businesses.
SB 5906 is a proposed bill that would protect students and families in Washington state's early learning programs (like child care centers, preschools, and schools) from immigration enforcement activities. It prohibits providers from collecting immigration status information and requires officers to show a warrant before entering school or child care facilities for immigration enforcement. The bill also mandates that providers inform parents about their children's program eligibility regardless of immigration status and distribute "know your rights" materials annually. It directly affects licensed early learning providers and school districts, requiring them to follow these safety protocols while complying with federal law. The bill is currently in the legislative process but has not yet been enacted.
HB 2105 requires Washington employers to notify workers within 72 hours if federal agencies plan I-9 form or worker record inspections. It mandates posting notices in five common non-English languages at workplaces, sending written notices to workers' last known addresses, and sharing federal inspection results with affected workers. The law directly affects all Washington employers and immigrant workers who may face federal immigration verification checks. Key provisions include multilingual notice requirements, timelines for employer communication, and a template for compliance developed by the Attorney General. This bill creates a formal process for transparency during federal I-9 audits, aiming to protect workers' rights during inspections.
