Immigration (Driver Licenses & IDs)

This bill establishes a firewall to prevent Washington state agencies from sharing driver, vehicle, and personal information with federal immigration authorities for civil immigration enforcement purposes. It requires state departments to only disclose such data when a valid court order is issued and mandates notification to individuals within three days when their information is requested. The legislation also requires data-sharing agreements to include certifications that information will not be used for civil immigration enforcement, along with ongoing monitoring and termination of access if misuse is detected. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports on data queries and public meetings to discuss compliance and statistics regarding information access.

SB 6002 limits how Washington state and local agencies can use automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems, which track vehicle movements. It requires agencies to register ALPR systems with the attorney general and maintain detailed records of all system access (like who used it and why), while prohibiting use for immigration enforcement, in healthcare facilities, schools, or places of worship. Agencies may only use ALPRs for specific purposes, such as checking against stolen vehicle lists, missing persons databases, or parking enforcement. The law aims to balance public safety with privacy by restricting data collection and ensuring transparency in how license plate data is accessed and stored.

SB 6264 amends Washington state law to prevent state agencies and law enforcement from using public resources to enforce federal immigration laws or discriminate based on immigration status. It requires agencies to stop asking for immigration status when providing services (like driver's licenses or health care) and limits sharing such information with federal authorities, except for criminal investigations or court orders. Key agencies, including the Department of Licensing and Department of Health, must implement these changes by 2021 or 2023. The bill also prohibits school resource officers and police from detaining individuals solely to check immigration status or sharing personal information for immigration enforcement without legal justification.

HB 2648 requires Washington state and local peace officers to activate body and dash cameras when encountering individuals suspected of conducting federal immigration enforcement. Officers must immediately report such encounters to their agency and document the interaction, including verifying the person's identity if safe to do so. The bill protects officers from liability in civil or criminal cases if they follow these procedures in good faith while acting within their job duties. It directly affects all on-duty Washington peace officers during interactions with federal immigration officials.

SB 5022 updates Washington State law to require that law enforcement agencies and prosecutor offices consider applicants legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law for hiring, replacing outdated categories like "lawful permanent resident" or "DACA recipient" in statutes. The bill amends multiple laws (including those governing civil service hiring for police, corrections officers, and prosecutor deputies) to align with federal work authorization standards without altering existing federal requirements. It clarifies that agencies must comply with federal firearm regulations for officers and allows hiring rejections only if background investigations cannot be conducted due to insufficient resources (funding, staff, or materials), while preserving state antidiscrimination protections. This change directly affects all state and local law enforcement hiring processes and prosecutor office appointments in Washington.