Bill > HB2095

This bill aims to enhance the safety of "vulnerable users of public ways," which include pedestrians, people riding animals, and those operating or riding bicycles, electric-assisted bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, mopeds, motor-driven cycles, or motorized foot scooters, but specifically excludes motorcycles. It mandates educational programs for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges on laws protecting these users and on responding to incidents involving them, with the goal of improving enforcement and judicial understanding. Additionally, the bill creates a legal presumption of negligence for drivers whose actions proximately cause injury or death to a vulnerable user in designated safe areas like sidewalks, shoulders, crosswalks, or bike lanes, though this presumption can be challenged by the driver and does not apply in certain circumstances, such as when the vulnerable user disregards traffic signals or is impaired. If a driver is found liable, the bill allows for the recovery of actual damages, statutory damages of $1,500, and attorney fees, with the possibility of punitive damages if the driver has a prior record of similar offenses. Finally, it requires accident reports to include information on whether a vulnerable user was involved and their specific type.

Justice

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2095&Year=2025&Initiative=false