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WashingtonSB 59742025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Modernizing and strengthening laws concerning sheriffs, police chiefs, town marshals, law enforcement agency volunteers, youth cadets, specially commissioned officers, and police matrons.

Sponsored By: John Lovick (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

13 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 8 mixed.

Broader background checks for police applicants

Beginning April 30, 2026, covered law-enforcement applicants and leadership appointees need background investigations completed within the prior six months. Screening covers criminal and certification records, past jobs and discipline, prosecutor impeachment concerns, extremist ties, social media, and citizenship or immigration status. It also includes psychological exams and polygraph or similar assessments as required by commission rules. The requirements cover reserves, corrections and limited-authority officers, and covered transfers or lateral hires, unless exempt. Agencies may make conditional offers while checks are pending, but must finish screening and attest to eligibility and suitability before final offers or appointments. Prior employers and agencies holding application records must retain required information and disclose it within 30 days of a written request. Officers whose certification lapsed after more than 24 consecutive months away because of military recall are exempt from this investigation.

Officer jobs depend on keeping certification

Beginning April 30, 2026, peace and corrections officers must obtain and maintain certification to work or hold office. Certification denied, revoked, or surrendered in Washington or another state bars covered service unless reinstated. Covered roles include peace, corrections, limited-authority, specially commissioned, and reserve officers who must hold certification. Officers retain certified status when they timely meet, or are exempt from, training and other requirements without certification denial, suspension, or revocation. The commission must certify limited-authority Washington peace officers employed on or before July 1, 2023, subject to later revocation. It must prioritize training so sheriffs, chiefs, and marshals can qualify within nine months of taking office. Elected law-enforcement offices become vacant for lost certification, final decertification, or failure to meet sheriff eligibility requirements. Appointed sheriffs also lose their appointments for these failures, and sheriff vacancies require qualified replacements through the applicable appointment process.

Stricter standards for chiefs and marshals

Beginning April 30, 2026, city and town police chiefs and marshals must meet new appointment and service standards. They must be U.S. citizens, at least 25, with a diploma or equivalent and five years of qualifying full-time government law-enforcement work. They must meet conviction, misconduct, military-discharge, and prior certification standards, and submit a sworn statement. They must get certified within nine months, unless the state training commission extends the deadline, and maintain certification. Current officeholders are exempt from age and experience rules unless seeking a different office. Appointing authorities pay for checks completed no earlier than six months before appointment and submit public eligibility confirmations to the commission. Cities and towns must end appointments for lost certification or unmet eligibility requirements and appoint qualified replacements.

Stricter standards for Washington sheriff candidates

Sheriff candidates and appointees must be U.S. citizens, at least 25, and have a high school diploma or equivalent. They need five years of qualifying full-time government law-enforcement work. They must meet conviction, misconduct, military-discharge, and prior certification standards. Disqualifying gross misdemeanors do not count if vacated. Sheriffs must get certified within nine months of taking office, unless the state training commission extends that deadline, and stay certified. Current sheriffs are exempt from the age and experience rules unless seeking a different sheriff's office. Candidates must request a state patrol background check within six months before, and no later than, the election filing deadline. Checks must finish by that deadline, except delayed checks may finish within 30 days after election results are certified. Appointment checks must be completed no earlier than six months before appointment. The state patrol must publish its standard form and process by May 1, 2026. Candidate attestations and results are public; the commission must post check-status lists by filing deadlines and within 60 days after election certification.

Public database tracks police conduct decisions

Beginning April 30, 2026, the state training commission must maintain a public, searchable database of officer conduct and certification matters. It must allow downloads in machine-readable form and explain its fields in plain language. Records include officer and agency names, investigated conduct, certification denials, suspensions, decertifications, agency notices, and separation reasons. The database must show final outcomes, reasons, and dates for each major step. Incident records stay at least 30 years after final disposition, and every decertification must reach the National Decertification Index.

Police applicants must authorize record sharing

Beginning April 30, 2026, covered Washington law-enforcement agencies cannot consider any job application without a knowingly and voluntarily signed release. It permits past employers and agencies receiving applications to share work and application information, and releases liability for sharing and use. Covered peace and corrections officers and applicants must also authorize relevant personnel records and disclose past law-enforcement applications and background materials. They must help with social-media reviews, but cannot be required to give login information. Agencies may use nonconviction criminal records only for employment or certification; national checks use fingerprints sent through the state patrol to the FBI.

Police volunteers face tighter power limits

Beginning January 1, 2027, city, town, and county agencies must limit volunteers' and youth cadets' police powers. Without peace-officer training and maintained certification, agencies cannot authorize criminal or civil immigration enforcement, pursuit, detention, arrest, force, or weapons. They also cannot authorize surveillance beyond fixed cameras inside police facilities or database sharing beyond specified agency personnel. Qualified retired officers may be authorized to carry firearms under federal law and agency policy. Dogs may help with search and rescue and specified searches, but not track, apprehend, or bite people or animals. Support jobs remain allowed, including office work, traffic help, animal care, search and rescue, and community outreach. Local ordinances and agency policies must define roles, supervision, identification, face-covering limits, authorized weapons training, and on-duty badge use; conflicting local rules are preempted. Specially commissioned officers need agency supervision, except when acting under the state's specified mutual-aid authority, and must be publicly distinguished from peace officers.

Limits on temporary police powers

Beginning April 30, 2026, residents no longer have the repealed duty to help chiefs or marshals make arrests or keep order. Chiefs and marshals also lose the specified power to appoint extra officers for one day. Sheriffs may deputize people in writing to serve legal papers in civil or criminal cases. These process servers cannot use law-enforcement powers or carry weapons unless certified as peace officers. Sheriffs remain responsible under their official bonds for these appointees' failures or misconduct.

Town marshals lose process fee entitlement

Beginning April 30, 2026, town marshals lose the statutory right to the same process-service fees as constables. This covers serving and returning legal papers. The law states no former fee amounts and provides no replacement payment.

Cities lose old police matron framework

Beginning April 30, 2026, the law repeals the city police matron framework. The repealed statutes cover establishing the roles, appointments, pay, police assistance, and separate quarters for people under arrest. The repeal does not state what happens to current staffing or city spending.

Counties pay for sheriff background checks

The county where someone seeks election or appointment as sheriff pays for the required background check. Counties must repay the Washington State Patrol for candidate checks. Appointing authorities pay for checks they conduct for appointees. The law sets no dollar amount and does not require candidates to pay.

Police background files stay largely private

Beginning April 30, 2026, commission background-investigation files are generally confidential and exempt from public disclosure, subpoenas, and civil discovery. Officers, authorized representatives, specified agencies, and commission staff may review them. Prospective employers may inspect files at the commission, but get copies only after hiring the person. The commission's confirmation that a check was completed and passed or failed remains public. People, organizations, and government agencies providing information in good faith under these rules receive protection from civil liability.

Updated duties for local police leaders

Sheriffs and deputies must uphold the state and U.S. Constitutions, enforce laws, keep the peace, and defend county public safety. They must serve legal papers, execute warrants, and obey lawful court orders, and may cooperate under the state mutual-aid law. Beginning April 30, 2026, second-class city chiefs and town marshals receive the authority specified for sheriffs, replacing older public-disorder wording. Town marshals are expressly responsible for deputies' acts, and the law removes the wording also naming their bondspersons. The law also repeals sheriffs' specific duty under RCW 36.28.011 to make a complaint.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • John Lovick

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Derek Stanford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jamie Pedersen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Javier Valdez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jesse Salomon

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Wellman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Manka Dhingra

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Noel Frame

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Yasmin Trudeau

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 1,620 • No: 1,941

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 30 • No: 19

House vote • 3/5/2026

2348 Schmidt Pg 25 Ln 6

Yes: 42 • No: 54 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2375 Burnett Pg 26 Ln 15

Yes: 40 • No: 56 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2376 Dufault Pg 26 Ln 15

Yes: 39 • No: 57 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2384 Marshall Pg 10 Ln 23

Yes: 39 • No: 57 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2353 Abell Pg 17 Ln 33

Yes: 40 • No: 56 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2361 Stuebe Pg 18 Ln 2

Yes: 42 • No: 54 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2373 Klicker Pg 4 Ln 27

Yes: 44 • No: 53 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

2374 Walsh Pg 7 Ln 16

Yes: 41 • No: 56 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

2369 Corry Pg 7 Ln 19

Yes: 41 • No: 56 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

2371 Burnett Pg 7 Ln 22

Yes: 42 • No: 55 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

2372 Marshall Pg 7 Ln 23

Yes: 41 • No: 56 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

2354 Marshall Pg 13 Ln 3

Yes: 40 • No: 57 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

2355 Abell Pg 13 Ln 3

Yes: 41 • No: 56 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

2364 Dye Pg 18 Ln 3

Yes: 44 • No: 52 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2389 Goodman Pg 19 Ln 21

Yes: 57 • No: 39 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2365 Stuebe Pg 19 Ln 27

Yes: 39 • No: 57 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2351 Penner Pg 13 Ln 26

Yes: 41 • No: 55 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2335 Fosse Pg 25 Ln 21

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2345 Penner Pg 26 Ln 31

Yes: 41 • No: 55 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2123 Goodman Striker

Yes: 54 • No: 42 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 54 • No: 42 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2383 Waters Pg 19 Ln 13

Yes: 40 • No: 56 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2368 Burnett Pg 17 Ln 33

Yes: 41 • No: 55 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2385 Abell Pg 18 Ln 13

Yes: 40 • No: 56 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2378 Burnett Pg 23 Ln 9

Yes: 41 • No: 55 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2343 Walsh Pg 1 Ln 3

Yes: 41 • No: 56 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

2370 Waters Pg 8 Ln 34

Yes: 42 • No: 55 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

2352 Keaton Pg 13 Ln 2

Yes: 40 • No: 57 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2026

2356 Burnett Pg 13 Ln 3

Yes: 39 • No: 56 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/5/2026

2357 Mendoza Pg 16 Ln 7

Yes: 40 • No: 55 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/5/2026

2358 Waters Pg 16 Ln 7

Yes: 41 • No: 54 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/5/2026

2382 Barnard Pg 16 Ln 7

Yes: 40 • No: 55 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/5/2026

2359 Griffey Pg 13 Ln 28

Yes: 39 • No: 56 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/5/2026

2367 Rude Pg 17 Ln 30

Yes: 39 • No: 57 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

2349 Dufault Pg 17 Ln 33

Yes: 39 • No: 57 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

627 Wagoner Pg 25 Ln 39

Yes: 19 • No: 30

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 30 • No: 19

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

634 Wilson, J. Pg 15 Ln 22

Yes: 21 • No: 28

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor signed.

    4/1/2026legislature

  2. Chapter 258, 2026 Laws.

    4/1/2026Senate

  3. Effective date 4/30/2026*.

    4/1/2026Senate

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/10/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/9/2026Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    3/9/2026House

  9. Committee amendment not adopted.

    3/5/2026Senate

  10. Third reading, passed; yeas, 54; nays, 42; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/5/2026Senate

  11. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2026Senate

  12. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/5/2026Senate

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

    3/2/2026Senate

  14. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/25/2026Senate

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    2/24/2026Senate

  16. CS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/24/2026Senate

  17. CS - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/24/2026Senate

  18. First reading, referred to Community Safety.

    2/14/2026Senate

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    2/12/2026Senate

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/12/2026Senate

  21. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    2/12/2026Senate

  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/10/2026Senate

  23. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/9/2026Senate

  24. WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/9/2026Senate

  25. Minority; do not pass.

    2/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

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