Bill > HB2192

This bill updates the role of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) to better identify the causes of roadway fatalities by designating it as a public health authority and expanding its responsibilities in collecting and analyzing data related to traffic collisions. The WTSC will now be able to collect health care information from various sources, such as hospitals and medical examiners, to conduct statistical and epidemiological analyses of traffic fatalities and serious injuries, with this information being confidential and exempt from public disclosure. The bill also establishes a "fatality review committee" to examine available information on fatal traffic crashes, including crash reports, driver records, and medical records, to identify contributing factors and make recommendations for improving road safety for all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Importantly, discussions and documents generated by these fatality review committees will be confidential and generally inadmissible in civil or administrative proceedings to encourage open and thorough reviews, and participants are granted immunity from civil liability for their good-faith actions within the scope of their duties. The bill also clarifies the role of the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Council, which will continue to analyze data and programs related to pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities and serious injuries, and its recommendations will be shared with the governor and legislative committees.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2192&Year=2025&Initiative=false