Bill > HB1765

This bill amends the state's public records law (RCW 42.56.230) to create a new exemption from public disclosure for email addresses of individuals who voluntarily subscribe to regular communications and updates from local government agencies. The exemption specifically protects email addresses provided to local agencies when people sign up for things like newsletters, agency updates, or similar publications. This means that if someone provides their email address to a local government agency to receive ongoing communications, that email address would be protected from public disclosure requests and cannot be released without the individual's permission. The bill is designed to protect individuals' privacy by preventing their contact information from being easily obtained through public records requests, while still allowing them to voluntarily engage with local government communication channels. The exemption is added as a new subsection (14) to the existing list of personal information types that are already protected from public disclosure under Washington state law.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1765&Year=2025&Initiative=false