SHB 1028 – Crime Victims & Witnesses
- Requires law enforcement agencies to conduct an investigation of a reported sexual assault within 90 days when the testing of a sexual assault kit (SAK) generates a hit in the Combined DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) Indexing System (CODIS), and to provide case status updates to the Office of the Attorney General for all SAKs with CODIS hits.
- Requires the Crime Victim Compensation Program to reimburse a Washington resident who is billed for a sexual assault examination by an out-of-state facility.
- Provides that a medical disclosure authorization to a health care provider or facility regarding a forensic examination remains valid until the end of all related criminal proceedings, subject to certain exceptions.
- Modifies certain reporting requirements imposed on the Washington State Patrol (WSP) related to statewide SAK testing and tracking.
- Extends the statute of limitations that applies to the prosecution of sex offenses where the suspect is identified by DNA testing.
HB 1089 / SB 5114 – Sex Trafficking
- Creates a program for healing, support, and transition services for adults with lived experience of sex trafficking.
HB 1130 / SB 5078 – Firearm Industry Duties
- Requires firearm industry members to establish, implement and enforce reasonable controls regarding the manufacture, sale, distribution, import, use, and marketing of the firearm industry members’ firearm and firearm related products.
- Prohibits firearm industry members from creating or maintaining a public nuisance.
- Authorizes the attorney general to investigate suspected violations of firearm industry members’ duties and to enforce actions against such firearm industry members.
- Creates a private right of action for individuals who have suffered harm as a result of a firearm industry member’s acts or omissions in violation of specified duties.
HB 1143 / SB 5211 – Firearm Purchase & Transfer
- Prohibits a dealer from transferring a firearm to a purchaser or transferee unless the person has a valid permit to purchase firearms, and establishes requirements for the application, issuance, and revocation of permits to purchase firearms.
- Provides that a dealer may not transfer any firearm to a purchaser or transferee until: completion of a background check indicating the person is eligible to possess firearms; and 10 days have elapsed since the dealer requested the background check.
- Requires a firearms transfer application and record of transfer for all firearm transfers.
- Updates firearm transfer and background check processes including updates to conform to the implementation of a state firearms background check program.
- Amends numerous other provisions of law to incorporate permits to purchase firearms consistent with requirements relating to concealed pistol licenses.
HB 1144 / SB 5232– Firearm Purchase & Transfer
- Provides that a dealer may not transfer any firearm to a purchaser or transferee until: completion of a background check indicating the person is eligible to possess firearms; and 10 days have elapsed since the dealer requested the background check.
- Prohibits a dealer from transferring a firearm to a purchaser or transferee unless the person provides a certificate of completion of a certified firearms safety training program or proof of an exemption from the training requirement.
- Requires a firearms transfer application and record of transfer for all firearm transfers.
- Updates firearm transfer and background check processes including updates to conform to the implementation of a state firearms background check program.
HB 1177 / SB 5137– Indigenous Women
- Creates the Cold Case Investigations Unit within the Office of the Attorney General for the purpose of assisting law enforcement agencies with solving cold cases involving missing and murdered indigenous women and people.
HB 1180 / SB 5193 – Firearms/Assault Weapons
- Establishing firearms-related safety measures to increase public safety.
SB 5051 – Dissolution/Document Language
- Requires an order in dissolution and legal separation proceedings to be certified by an interpreter that a sight translation of the order was provided in the party’s language if a party has limited English proficiency or is deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing.
- Requires that, when requested with advanced reasonable notice, an interpreter be provided for limited English proficiency litigants by the court for sight translation of the court’s order at no cost to the party.
SB 5231 – Emergency DV Orders
- Clarifies the court’s authority in issuing pretrial no-contact orders.
- Establishes the process for issuance of an emergency domestic violence no-contact order.
SSB 5006 – Waiver of Firearm Rights
- Creates a new civil infraction for persons who have in their possession or have under their control a firearm after filing a voluntary waiver of firearm rights.
- Permits voluntary waiver of firearm rights to be submitted or revoked either in writing or electronically and requires the clerk of the court to immediately notify a filer and contact persons when a voluntary waiver of firearm rights has been accepted.
- Allows a filer to update contact person information by making an electronic or written request to the clerk of the court.
- Encourages mental health professionals and substance use disorder professionals to discuss with their patients the voluntary waiver of firearm rights.
