Bill > HB2685

This bill aims to improve public health systems and the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives by establishing clear guidelines for sharing and protecting tribal data. It mandates that state agencies must adhere to tribal data sovereignty principles, meaning tribes have the authority to manage, own, and control their data, even if collected by the state. Tribes will have equal or greater access to state data than other public health entities to fulfill their governmental duties, and they must be consulted on how their data is used or shared. Importantly, any tribal data held by state agencies or local health jurisdictions will be exempt from public disclosure, meaning it will not be subject to public records requests. The bill also requires health care providers and facilities to report notifiable conditions directly to tribal health jurisdictions, ensuring that tribes receive timely information relevant to their communities' health. This legislation is contingent on specific funding being provided by June 30, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2685&Year=2025&Initiative=false