Bill > HB1692

This bill modifies Washington state's public records law to create a new exemption for certain data related to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Indian tribes. Specifically, the bill adds a definition for "Indian tribe" as any federally recognized tribe whose traditional lands included parts of Washington, and creates a new exemption from public disclosure for information about American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Indian tribes that is prepared, owned, used, or retained by specific state agencies (those listed in RCW 43.71B.020(1)(b)(i)) or local health jurisdictions. The bill amends the existing public records statute (RCW 42.56) to include this new definition and exemption, effectively protecting sensitive information about Native American communities from public inspection and copying. This change appears designed to provide additional privacy and protection for tribal information, recognizing the potential cultural sensitivity and potential harm that could result from broad public disclosure of such data.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1692&Year=2025&Initiative=false