Technology (Data Privacy)

in committee · Washington · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 2483: Creating a data broker registry.

HB 2483 creates a state registry requiring data brokers in Washington to register with the Department of Licensing by May 2028. It applies to businesses that collect and sell personal information like names, addresses, Social Security numbers, or biometric data (e.g., fingerprints) without consumer consent. The law defines "data broker" broadly but excludes credit bureaus, financial institutions under federal law, and businesses collecting data from customers or employees. The registry aims to increase transparency about who collects and sells Washington residents' personal data, without regulating how data is handled.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires data brokers to register, enhancing consumer data privacy by increasing transparency around personal information sales without consent.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2303: Prohibiting employers from microchipping employees.

HB 2303 prohibits employers in Washington state from requiring, requesting, or coercing employees to have microchips implanted. It directly affects all employers (including state agencies) and employees, excluding medical devices used for health monitoring. The bill creates a legal remedy allowing affected employees to sue for damages, attorney fees, and injunctions if violated. It defines "microchip" as subcutaneous devices storing personal data, but clarifies medical implants for health treatment are exempt.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits forced employee microchipping, protecting workers' bodily autonomy and privacy rights in the workplace, aligning with labor rights protections.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits employer microchipping, protecting employee data privacy by restricting unauthorized data storage in subcutaneous devices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2637: Safeguarding personal information entrusted to agencies that is of no legitimate concern to the public.

HB 2637 expands exemptions under Washington state law to protect specific sensitive personal information from public disclosure. It directly affects students, healthcare patients, taxpayers, and individuals using public services by exempting data like student records, medical information, financial details (e.g., credit card numbers), geolocation data, driver's license records, and utility account information. Key provisions clarify that agencies cannot release this information unless required by other law, with limited exceptions for emergencies or legal mandates. The bill updates existing privacy protections to cover new data types, such as precise location coordinates and consumer utility data, while maintaining transparency requirements for certain disclosures like total license plate numbers.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly expands exemptions to protect sensitive personal information, directly strengthening data privacy safeguards under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Tags Privacy

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 6049: Protecting student and employee information from public disclosure.

Washington State's SB 6049 expands privacy protections for public employees and volunteers by adding new exemptions to the state's public records law. The bill shields sensitive personal information such as home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, Social Security numbers, and emergency contacts from public disclosure. It also creates specific protections for employees who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or harassment, requiring a sworn statement or proof of participation in an address confidentiality program to anonymize their work contact details. These changes directly affect all public agencies, schools, and government employers in Washington by limiting access to certain personnel records.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill shields sensitive employee personal information (including domestic violence survivors' details), directly enhancing privacy protections under labor rights framework.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands data privacy protections by exempting sensitive personal information (SSNs, addresses, etc.) from public disclosure, directly aligning with technology privacy policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Data Privacy Tags Government Transparency

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 16, 2026

HB 2112: Establishing an age minimum to access certain adult content online.

HB 2112 requires commercial websites and social media platforms that publish or distribute online content where over one-third qualifies as "sexual material harmful to minors" to verify users are 18 or older before access. This applies to entities like adult content platforms, using methods such as government ID checks or digital identification, while prohibiting retention of personal data. The bill mandates clear health notices about youth risks on content pages and exempts news organizations, internet service providers, and constitutionally protected activities. Violations could trigger daily penalties up to $10,000 per day, plus up to $250,000 if minors access restricted content.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits data retention for age verification, aligning with data privacy protections in tech policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Online Safety Social Media

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passed · Washington · House Jan 28, 2025

HR 4609: Recognizing Data Privacy Day.

This resolution (HR 4609) formally recognizes Data Privacy Day on January 28th, as established by U.S. Congress in 2009. It does not create new laws or impose requirements; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to raise public awareness about data privacy. The resolution highlights the importance of protecting personal information in digital interactions and encourages Washington residents to learn about privacy best practices. It aligns with global observances in 50 countries and emphasizes education for individuals, businesses, and governments. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct regulatory impact or effect on specific groups.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologySymbolic recognition of Data Privacy Day promotes awareness and protection of personal data in digital interactions, aligning with privacy advocacy goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1887: Creating a data broker registry for the purpose of imposing a data broker severance tax.

HB 1887 requires data brokers - businesses that collect, aggregate, and sell Washington residents' personal information without consent - to register annually with the Department of Licensing starting in 2026. It defines "brokered personal data" broadly (including names, addresses, biometric details, and social security numbers) and exempts consumer reporting agencies, financial institutions under federal law, and services providing public business info or health/safety alerts. Data brokers must submit basic contact details and pay an annual registration fee, with the revenue intended to fund state programs. The bill aims to create transparency about this industry while generating state revenue from a growing business model.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new data broker severance tax, creating direct revenue stream for state budget without targeting individuals.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates data brokers selling personal information without consent via registration and severance tax, directly strengthening data privacy protections as defined in the bill's scope.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Revenue Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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passed · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 5708: Protecting Washington children online.

Senate Bill 5708, titled "Protecting Washington children online," aims to enhance online safety and privacy for minors in Washington state. The bill requires businesses providing online services, products, or features likely to be accessed by minors to either estimate user age or apply minor-level privacy protections to all users. It prohibits these businesses from collecting, selling, sharing, or retaining personal information from minors under 13, with an exception for age verification. Data collected for age estimation must not be used for other purposes or retained longer than necessary.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires minor-level privacy protections, prohibits data collection from under-13s except for age verification, directly advancing data privacy for minors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Digital Government Online Safety

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1168: Increasing transparency in artificial intelligence.

HB 1168 requires commercial developers of generative AI systems (like text or image tools) to publicly document the data used to train their systems by January 1, 2026. This includes disclosing sources, types, and handling of training data - such as whether personal information or artificially created data was used - before releasing the AI to Washington users. Developers must post this documentation on their websites, with exemptions for AI focused solely on security, aircraft operations, or national defense. Violations carry $5,000 daily fines enforceable by the state attorney general, aiming to increase public awareness of AI development practices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires AI developers to disclose training data sources/types for transparency, enhancing data privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1103: Expanding protections against unwanted telephone calls and text messages for cellular users.

HB 1103 expands Washington state protections against unwanted phone calls and text messages by requiring businesses to identify themselves within 30 seconds, stop calls immediately when requested, and remove contact information from their lists for at least one year upon opt-out. It prohibits calls before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m., enforces compliance with the federal Do Not Call Registry, and bans calls violating federal law. The bill directly affects cellular users (who gain stronger opt-out rights) and businesses making telephone solicitations (who face $1,000 fines per violation for noncompliance). Key mechanisms include mandatory call termination within 10 seconds of a request to stop, prohibition on selling contact data, and requirements for telecom companies to notify residential customers about these rules.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy by mandating business identification, immediate opt-out compliance, and prohibiting unwanted calls/texts, directly protecting cellular users' digital rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Telecommunications

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