This bill establishes a firewall to prevent Washington state agencies from sharing driver, vehicle, and personal information with federal immigration authorities for civil immigration enforcement purposes. It requires state departments to only disclose such data when a valid court order is issued and mandates notification to individuals within three days when their information is requested. The legislation also requires data-sharing agreements to include certifications that information will not be used for civil immigration enforcement, along with ongoing monitoring and termination of access if misuse is detected. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports on data queries and public meetings to discuss compliance and statistics regarding information access.
HB 2547 requires county and municipal jails in Washington to have a written contract with the U.S. government before holding individuals transferred from federal custody. The contract must cover all costs of confinement and include a fee for the jail’s expenses; if federal funds aren’t received as agreed, the jail must stop holding those individuals. The bill also prohibits jails from contracting to hold people transported across state lines, except when a valid judicial warrant exists. This directly affects local jails that currently house federal detainees and ensures financial accountability for federal custody arrangements.
SB 6264 amends Washington state law to prevent state agencies and law enforcement from using public resources to enforce federal immigration laws or discriminate based on immigration status. It requires agencies to stop asking for immigration status when providing services (like driver's licenses or health care) and limits sharing such information with federal authorities, except for criminal investigations or court orders. Key agencies, including the Department of Licensing and Department of Health, must implement these changes by 2021 or 2023. The bill also prohibits school resource officers and police from detaining individuals solely to check immigration status or sharing personal information for immigration enforcement without legal justification.
This bill requires Washington county and municipal jails to have written contracts with the U.S. government before accepting individuals held in federal custody. Jails may temporarily accept federal detainees for 180 days after the law takes effect while securing a contract, but must have one in place for all new admissions afterward. Contracts must include a minimum daily fee based on existing interlocal agreements, and jails may still accept federal detainees without a contract if they determine it serves public safety interests. The bill directly affects local jails that currently hold federal detainees without formal agreements.
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 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.
