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WashingtonHB 13852025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Concerning fingerprint background check on applicants.

Sponsored By: Jamila Taylor (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

More care applicants face screening rules

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington's screening framework covers more prospective employees, volunteers, and contractors with supervised or unsupervised access. Covered groups include children, adults age 60 or older, people with developmental disabilities, and vulnerable adults. Covered settings include care agencies, health facilities, child care, and early learning programs; care includes education, supervision, and recreation. Unsupervised access includes five or fewer children under 12, three or fewer ages 12–16, people with developmental disabilities, or vulnerable adults. Broader screening supports care safety but adds screening steps for covered applicants.

National care checks protect applicant rights

The law lets approved care organizations and federally recognized tribes request state and FBI fingerprint checks for jobs, licenses, and volunteering. Each request requires prior Washington State Patrol approval, fingerprints, and a signed waiver allowing release of the records. Organizations must protect privacy and use records only for screening with that organization or tribe. Applicants must receive notice of their right to get results and challenge missing or wrong information, including FBI correction procedures. Before a record-based denial, applicants must get reasonable time to correct or complete records, unless they decline. The Patrol searches fingerprints before sending them to the FBI, holds Washington's compact records, and can adopt program rules. Its chief or designee manages the national record-sharing compact, which remains in effect unless later legislation ends participation.

Background check damages claims face limits

Approved organizations and federally recognized tribes are not liable for damages solely because they fail to obtain authorized background information. This protection covers information about employees, contractors, and volunteers. Washington, its local governments, and their agencies, officers, and employees are protected from damages for providing information requested under this law. These protections cover only the named actions; they do not erase unrelated legal duties or liability.

Care background checks carry processing fees

The Washington State Patrol must set fees by rule for fingerprint submissions and sharing records with approved organizations and tribes. Fees must cover direct and indirect processing costs as closely as practical, including the FBI check fee. The law sets no fee amounts or caps. It does not specify whether organizations pass these costs to applicants.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jamila Taylor

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Brian Burnett

    Republican • House

  • Edwin Obras

    Democratic • House

  • John Ley

    Republican • House

  • Kristine Reeves

    Democratic • House

  • Lauren Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Mari Leavitt

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Wylie

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 145 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 97 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/16/2025House

  2. Chapter 60, 2025 Laws.

    4/16/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    4/16/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/11/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/10/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/9/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/5/2025House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/5/2025House

  9. Placed on second reading consent calendar.

    4/2/2025House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/26/2025House

  11. HS - Majority; do pass.

    3/25/2025House

  12. First reading, referred to Human Services.

    3/7/2025House

  13. Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/5/2025House

  14. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2025House

  15. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/5/2025House

  16. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/5/2025House

  17. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/28/2025House

  18. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/18/2025House

  19. ELHS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/14/2025House

  20. ELHS - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/14/2025House

  21. Referred to Early Learning & Human Services.

    1/21/2025House

  22. Committee relieved of further consideration.

    1/21/2025House

  23. First reading, referred to Community Safety.

    1/20/2025House

  24. Introduced

    1/20/2025House

Bill Text

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