title: RCW 42.56.240

text:
The following investigative, law enforcement, and crime victim information is exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter:
(1) Specific intelligence information and specific investigative records compiled by investigative, law enforcement, and penology agencies, and state agencies vested with the responsibility to discipline members of any profession, the nondisclosure of which is essential to effective law enforcement or for the protection of any person's right to privacy;
(2) Information revealing the identity of persons who are witnesses to or victims of crime or who file complaints with investigative, law enforcement, or penology agencies, other than the commission, if disclosure would endanger any person's life, physical safety, or property. If at the time a complaint is filed the complainant, victim, or witness indicates a desire for disclosure or nondisclosure, such desire shall govern. However, all complaints filed with the commission about any elected official or candidate for public office must be made in writing and signed by the complainant under oath;
(3) Any records of investigative reports prepared by any state, county, municipal, or other law enforcement agency pertaining to sex offenses contained in chapter 9A.44 RCW or sexually violent offenses as defined in RCW 71.09.020, which have been transferred to the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs for permanent electronic retention and retrieval pursuant to RCW 40.14.070(2)(b);
(4) License applications under RCW 9.41.070, except that copies of license applications or information on the applications may be released to law enforcement or corrections agencies or to persons and entities as authorized under RCW 9.41.815;
(5)(a) Information revealing the specific details that describe an alleged or proven child victim of sexual assault or commercial sexual exploitation under age 18, or the identity or contact information of an alleged or proven child victim of sexual assault or commercial sexual exploitation who is under age 18. Identifying information includes the child victim's name, addresses, location, photograph, and in cases in which the child victim is a relative, stepchild, or stepsibling of the alleged perpetrator, identification of the relationship between the child and the alleged perpetrator. Contact information includes phone numbers, email addresses, social media profiles, and user names and passwords.
(b) For purposes of this subsection (5), "commercial sexual exploitation" has the same meaning as in RCW 7.105.010;
(6) Information contained in a local or regionally maintained gang database as well as the statewide gang database referenced in RCW 43.43.762;
(7) Data from the electronic sales tracking system established in RCW 69.43.165;
(8) Information submitted to the statewide unified sex offender notification and registration program under RCW 36.28A.040(6) by a person for the purpose of receiving notification regarding a registered sex offender, including the person's name, residential address, and email address;
(9) Personally identifying information collected by law enforcement agencies pursuant to local security alarm system programs and vacation crime watch programs. Nothing in this subsection shall be interpreted so as to prohibit the legal owner of a residence or business from accessing information regarding his or her residence or business;
(10) The felony firearm offense conviction database of felony firearm offenders established in RCW 43.43.822;
(11) The identity of a state employee or officer who has in good faith filed a complaint with an ethics board, as provided in RCW 42.52.410, or who has in good faith reported improper governmental action, as defined in RCW 42.40.020, to the auditor or other public official, as defined in RCW 42.40.020;
(12) The following security threat group information collected and maintained by the department of corrections pursuant to RCW 72.09.745: (a) Information that could lead to the identification of a person's security threat group status, affiliation, or activities; (b) information that reveals specific security threats associated with the operation and activities of security threat groups; and (c) information that identifies the number of security threat group members, affiliates, or associates;
(13) The global positioning system data that would indicate the location of the residence of an employee or worker of a criminal justice agency as defined in RCW 10.97.030;
(14) Body worn camera recordings to the extent nondisclosure is essential for the protection of any person's right to privacy as described in RCW 42.56.050, including, but not limited to, the circumstances enumerated in (a) of this subsection. A law enforcement or corrections agency shall not disclose a body worn camera recording to the extent the recording is exempt under this subsection.
(a) Disclosure of a body worn camera recording is presumed to be highly offensive to a reasonable person under RCW 42.56.050 to the extent it depicts:
(i)(A) Any areas of a medical facility, counseling, or therapeutic program office where:
(I) A patient is registered to receive treatment, receiving treatment, waiting for treatment, or being transported in the course of treatment; or
(II) Health care information is shared with patients, their families, or among the care team; or
(B) Information that meets the definition of protected health information for purposes of the health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 or health care information for purposes of chapter 70.02 RCW;
(ii) The interior of a place of residence where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy;
(iii) An intimate image;
(iv) A minor;
(v) The body of a deceased person;
(vi) The identity of or communications from a victim or witness of an incident involving domestic violence as defined in RCW 10.99.020 or sexual assault as defined in RCW 70.125.030, or disclosure of intimate images as defined in RCW 9A.86.010. If at the time of recording the victim or witness indicates a desire for disclosure or nondisclosure of the recorded identity or communications, such desire shall govern; or
(vii) The identifiable location information of a community-based domestic violence program as defined in RCW 70.123.020, or emergency shelter as defined in RCW 70.123.020.
(b) The presumptions set out in (a) of this subsection may be rebutted by specific evidence in individual cases.
(c) In a court action seeking the right to inspect or copy a body worn camera recording, a person who prevails against a law enforcement or corrections agency that withholds or discloses all or part of a body worn camera recording pursuant to (a) of this subsection is not entitled to fees, costs, or awards pursuant to RCW 42.56.550 unless it is shown that the law enforcement or corrections agency acted in bad faith or with gross negligence.
(d) A request for body worn camera recordings must:
(i) Specifically identify a name of a person or persons involved in the incident;
(ii) Provide the incident or case number;
(iii) Provide the date, time, and location of the incident or incidents; or
(iv) Identify a law enforcement or corrections officer involved in the incident or incidents.
(e)(i) A person directly involved in an incident recorded by the requested body worn camera recording, an attorney representing a person directly involved in an incident recorded by the requested body worn camera recording, a person or his or her attorney who requests a body worn camera recording relevant to a criminal case involving that person, or the executive director from either the Washington state commission on African American affairs, Asian Pacific American affairs, or Hispanic affairs, has the right to obtain the body worn camera recording, subject to any exemption under this chapter or any applicable law. In addition, an attorney who represents a person regarding a potential or existing civil cause of action involving the denial of civil rights under the federal or state Constitution, or a violation of a United States department of justice settlement agreement, has the right to obtain the body worn camera recording if relevant to the cause of action, subject to any exemption under this chapter or any applicable law. The attorney must explain the relevancy of the requested body worn camera recording to the cause of action and specify that he or she is seeking relief from redaction costs under this subsection (14)(e).
(ii) A law enforcement or corrections agency responding to requests under this subsection (14)(e) may not require the requesting individual to pay costs of any redacting, altering, distorting, pixelating, suppressing, or otherwise obscuring any portion of a body worn camera recording.
(iii) A law enforcement or corrections agency may require any person requesting a body worn camera recording pursuant to this subsection (14)(e) to identify himself or herself to ensure he or she is a person entitled to obtain the body worn camera recording under this subsection (14)(e).
(f)(i) A law enforcement or corrections agency responding to a request to disclose body worn camera recordings may require any requester not listed in (e) of this subsection to pay the reasonable costs of redacting, altering, distorting, pixelating, suppressing, or otherwise obscuring any portion of the body worn camera recording prior to disclosure only to the extent necessary to comply with the exemptions in this chapter or any applicable law.
(ii) An agency that charges redaction costs under this subsection (14)(f) must use redaction technology that provides the least costly commercially available method of redacting body worn camera recordings, to the extent possible and reasonable.
(iii) In any case where an agency charges a requestor for the costs of redacting a body worn camera recording under this subsection (14)(f), the time spent on redaction of the recording shall not count towards the agency's allocation of, or limitation on, time or costs spent responding to public records requests under this chapter, as established pursuant to local ordinance, policy, procedure, or state law.
(g) For purposes of this subsection (14):
(i) "Body worn camera recording" means a video and/or sound recording that is made by a body worn camera attached to the uniform or eyewear of a law enforcement or corrections officer while in the course of his or her official duties; and
(ii) "Intimate image" means an individual or individuals engaged in sexual activity, including sexual intercourse as defined in RCW 9A.44.010 and masturbation, or an individual's intimate body parts, whether nude or visible through less than opaque clothing, including the genitals, pubic area, anus, or postpubescent female nipple.
(h) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to restrict access to body worn camera recordings as otherwise permitted by law for official or recognized civilian and accountability bodies or pursuant to any court order.
(i) Nothing in this section is intended to modify the obligations of prosecuting attorneys and law enforcement under Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S. Ct. 1194, 10 L. Ed. 2d 215 (1963), Kyles v. Whitley, 541 U.S. 419, 115 S. Ct. 1555, 131 L. Ed.2d 490 (1995), and the relevant Washington court criminal rules and statutes.
(j) A law enforcement or corrections agency must retain body worn camera recordings for at least 60 days and thereafter may destroy the records in accordance with the applicable records retention schedule;
(15) Any records and information contained within the statewide sexual assault kit tracking system established in RCW 43.43.545;
(16)(a) Survivor communications with, and survivor records maintained by, campus-affiliated advocates.
(b) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to restrict access to records maintained by a campus-affiliated advocate in the event that:
(i) The survivor consents to inspection or copying;
(ii) There is a clear, imminent risk of serious physical injury or death of the survivor or another person;
(iii) Inspection or copying is required by federal law; or
(iv) A court of competent jurisdiction mandates that the record be available for inspection or copying.
(c) "Campus-affiliated advocate" and "survivor" have the definitions in RCW 28B.112.030;
(17) Information and records prepared, owned, used, or retained by the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs and information and records prepared, owned, used, or retained by the Washington state patrol pursuant to chapter 261, Laws of 2017;
(18) Any and all audio or video recordings of child forensic interviews as defined in chapter 26.44 RCW. Such recordings are confidential and may only be disclosed pursuant to a court order entered upon a showing of good cause and with advance notice to the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian. However, if the child is an emancipated minor or has attained the age of majority as defined in RCW 26.28.010, advance notice must be to the child. Failure to disclose an audio or video recording of a child forensic interview as defined in chapter 26.44 RCW is not grounds for penalties or other sanctions available under this chapter;
(19) Information exempt from public disclosure and copying under RCW 43.10.305(2)(f); and
(20) Information exempt from public inspection and copying under RCW 43.102.140.
[ 2026 c 174 s 6. Prior: 2024 c 299 s 2; 2024 c 298 s 21; 2022 c 268 s 31; 2019 c 300 s 1; prior: 2018 c 285 s 1; 2018 c 171 s 7; prior: 2017 c 261 s 7; 2017 c 72 s 3; prior: 2016 c 173 s 8; 2016 c 163 s 2; prior: 2015 c 224 s 3; 2015 c 91 s 1; prior: 2013 c 315 s 2; 2013 c 190 s 7; 2013 c 183 s 1; 2012 c 88 s 1; prior: 2010 c 266 s 2; 2010 c 182 s 5; 2008 c 276 s 202; 2005 c 274 s 404.]
Notes:
Effective date—Private right of action—2024 c 299: See notes following RCW 43.10.305.
Effective date—2024 c 298: See note following RCW 9A.40.100.
Effective dates—2022 c 268: See note following RCW 7.105.010.
Retroactive application—2018 c 171 s 7: "Section 7 of this act applies retroactively to all outstanding public records requests submitted prior to March 22, 2018." [ 2018 c 171 s 8.]
Effective date—2018 c 171: See note following RCW 26.44.188.
Finding—Intent—2017 c 72: See note following RCW 28B.112.030.
Finding—Intent—2016 c 173: See note following RCW 43.43.545.
Finding—Intent—2016 c 163: "The legislature finds that technological developments present opportunities for additional truth-finding, transparency, and accountability in interactions between law enforcement or corrections officers and the public. The legislature intends to promote transparency and accountability by permitting access to video and/or sound recordings of interactions with law enforcement or corrections officers, while preserving the public's reasonable expectation that the recordings of these interactions will not be publicly disclosed to enable voyeurism or exploitation." [ 2016 c 163 s 1.]
Finding—2013 c 190: See note following RCW 42.52.410.
Severability—Part headings, subheadings not law—2008 c 276: See notes following RCW 36.28A.200.
Restrictions on dissemination of child forensic interview recordings: RCW 26.44.187 and 26.44.188.

catchline: Investigative, law enforcement, and crime victims.


doc_type: statute

jurisdiction: wa

title: RCW 42.56.250

text:
(1) The following employment and licensing information is exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter:
(a) Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data used to administer a license, employment, or academic examination;
(b) All applications for public employment other than for vacancies in elective office, including the names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to an applicant;
(c) Professional growth plans (PGPs) in educator license renewals submitted through the eCert system in the office of the superintendent of public instruction;
(d) The following information held by any public agency in personnel records, public employment related records, volunteer rosters, or included in any mailing list of employees or volunteers of any public agency: Residential addresses, residential telephone numbers, personal wireless telephone numbers, personal email addresses, social security numbers, driver's license numbers, identicard numbers, payroll deductions including the amount and identification of the deduction, and emergency contact information of employees or volunteers of a public agency, and the names, dates of birth, residential addresses, residential telephone numbers, personal wireless telephone numbers, personal email addresses, social security numbers, and emergency contact information of dependents of employees or volunteers of a public agency. For purposes of this subsection (1)(d), "employees" includes independent provider home care workers as defined in RCW 74.39A.240;
(e) Information that identifies a person who, while an agency employee: (i) Seeks advice, under an informal process established by the employing agency, in order to ascertain his or her rights in connection with a possible unfair practice under chapter 49.60 RCW against the person; and (ii) requests his or her identity or any identifying information not be disclosed;
(f)(i) Except as provided in (f)(ii) of this subsection, investigative records compiled by an employing agency in connection with an investigation of a possible unfair practice under chapter 49.60 RCW or of a possible violation of other federal, state, or local laws or an employing agency's internal policies prohibiting discrimination or harassment in employment. Records are exempt in their entirety while the investigation is active and ongoing. After the agency has notified the complaining employee of the outcome of the investigation, the records may be disclosed only if the names, images, employee agency job titles, email addresses, and phone numbers of complainants, other accusers, and witnesses are redacted and their voices on any audio recording taken during the course of the investigation have been altered while retaining inflection and tone, except to the extent that such a complainant, other accuser, or witness has consented to the disclosure of such information. The employing agency must inform a complainant, other accuser, or witness that his or her name, image, agency job title, email address, and phone number will be redacted from the investigation records and their voice on any audio recording taken during the course of the investigation will be altered in accordance with this subsection unless he or she consents to disclosure;
(ii) After the investigation is complete and the complainant has been notified of the outcome of the investigation, if an elected government official is a complainant, the name and title of such elected government official shall not be redacted from the investigatory records;
(g) Criminal history records checks for board staff finalist candidates conducted pursuant to RCW 43.33A.025;
(h) Photographs and month and year of birth in the personnel files of employees or volunteers of a public agency, including employees and workers of criminal justice agencies as defined in RCW 10.97.030. The news media, as defined in RCW 5.68.010(5), shall have access to the photographs and full date of birth. For the purposes of this subsection (1)(h), news media does not include any person or organization of persons in the custody of a criminal justice agency as defined in RCW 10.97.030;
(i)(i) Any employee's name or other personally identifying information, including but not limited to birthdate, job title, addresses of work stations and locations, work email address, work phone number, bargaining unit, or other similar information, maintained by an agency in personnel-related records or systems, or responsive to a request for a list of individuals subject to the commercial purpose prohibition under RCW 42.56.070(8), if the employee:
(A) Has provided a sworn statement, signed under penalty of perjury and verified by the director of the employing agency or director's designee, that the employee or a dependent of the employee is a survivor of domestic violence as defined in RCW 10.99.020 or 7.105.010, sexual assault as defined in RCW 70.125.030 or sexual abuse as defined in RCW 7.105.010, stalking as described in RCW 9A.46.110 or defined in RCW 7.105.010, or harassment as described in RCW 9A.46.020 or defined in RCW 7.105.010, and notifying the agency as to why the employee has a reasonable basis to believe that the risk of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment continues to exist. A sworn statement under this subsection expires after two years, but may be subsequently renewed by providing a new sworn statement to the employee's employing agency; or
(B) Provides proof to the employing agency of the employee's participation or the participation of a dependent in the address confidentiality program under chapter 40.24 RCW.
(ii) Any documentation maintained by an agency to administer this subsection (1)(i) is exempt from disclosure under this chapter and is confidential and may not be disclosed without consent of the employee who submitted the documentation. Agencies may provide information to their employees on how to submit a request to anonymize their work email address.
(iii) For purposes of this subsection (1)(i), "verified" means that the director of the employing agency or director's designee confirmed that the sworn statement identifies the alleged perpetrator or perpetrators by name and, if possible, image or likeness, or that the director or designee obtained from the employee a police report, protection order petition, or other documentation of allegations related to the domestic violence, sexual assault or abuse, stalking, or harassment.
(iv) The exemption in this subsection (1)(i) does not apply to public records requests from the news media as defined in RCW 5.68.010(5);
(j) The global positioning system data that would indicate the location of the residence of a public employee or volunteer using the global positioning system recording device;
(k) Information relating to a future voter, as provided in RCW 29A.08.725;
(l) Voluntarily submitted information collected and maintained by a state agency or higher education institution that identifies an individual state employee's personal demographic details. "Personal demographic details" means race or ethnicity, sexual orientation as defined by RCW 49.60.040, immigration status, national origin, or status as a person with a disability. This exemption does not prevent the release of state employee demographic information in a deidentified or aggregate format; and
(m) Benefit enrollment information collected and maintained by the health care authority through its authority as director of the public employees' benefits board and school employees' benefits board programs as authorized by chapter 41.05 RCW. This subsection (1)(m) does not prevent the release of benefit enrollment information in a deidentified or aggregate format. "Benefit enrollment information" means:
(i) Information listed in (d) of this subsection;
(ii) Personal demographic details as defined in (l) of this subsection;
(iii) Benefit elections;
(iv) Date of birth;
(v) Documents provided for verification of dependency, such as tax returns or marriage or birth certificates;
(vi) Marital status;
(vii) Primary language spoken;
(viii) Tobacco use status; and
(ix) Tribal affiliation.
(2) Upon receipt of a request for information located exclusively in an employee's personnel, payroll, supervisor, or training file, the agency must provide notice to the employee, to any union representing the employee, and to the requestor. The notice must state:
(a) The date of the request;
(b) The nature of the requested record relating to the employee;
(c) That the agency will release any information in the record which is not exempt from the disclosure requirements of this chapter at least ten days from the date the notice is made; and
(d) That the employee may seek to enjoin release of the records under RCW 42.56.540.
[ 2025 c 283 s 1. Prior: 2023 c 458 s 1; 2023 c 361 s 15; 2023 c 45 s 1; 2020 c 106 s 1; prior: 2019 c 349 s 2; 2019 c 229 s 1; 2018 c 109 s 17; prior: 2017 c 38 s 1; 2017 c 16 s 1; 2014 c 106 s 1; prior: 2010 c 257 s 1; 2010 c 128 s 9; 2006 c 209 s 6; 2005 c 274 s 405.]
Notes:
Effective date—2023 c 458: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [May 15, 2023]." [ 2023 c 458 s 3.]
Findings—2019 c 349: "The legislature finds that workplace harassment remains a persistent problem and there is an urgent need to address barriers that prevent people from reporting harassment. The United States equal employment opportunity commission select task force on the study of harassment in the workplace released a report in 2016 finding that ninety percent of individuals who experience harassment never take formal action, and noting that seventy-five percent of employees who spoke out against workplace mistreatment faced some sort of retaliation. The legislature finds that it is in the public interest for state employees to feel safe to report incidents of harassment when it occurs and to protect these employees from an increased risk of retaliation. The legislature finds that the release of the identities of employees who report or participate in harassment investigations increases the risk of retaliation, invades the privacy of a vulnerable population, and significantly reduces reporting of harassment. The legislature finds that if state government can make it easier for victims and witnesses of harassment to come forward and report harassment, harassment issues can be dealt with before they worsen or spread." [ 2019 c 349 s 1.]
Findings—Intent—Effective date—2018 c 109: See notes following RCW 29A.08.170.
PDF
RCW 42.56.250
Employment and licensing. (Effective June 1, 2028.)
(1) The following employment and licensing information is exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter:
(a) Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data used to administer a license, employment, or academic examination;
(b) All applications for public employment other than for vacancies in elective office, including the names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to an applicant;
(c) Professional growth plans (PGPs) in educator license renewals submitted through the eCert system in the office of the superintendent of public instruction;
(d) The following information held by any public agency in personnel records, public employment related records, volunteer rosters, or included in any mailing list of employees or volunteers of any public agency: Residential addresses, residential telephone numbers, personal wireless telephone numbers, personal email addresses, social security numbers, driver's license numbers, identicard numbers, payroll deductions including the amount and identification of the deduction, and emergency contact information of employees or volunteers of a public agency, and the names, dates of birth, residential addresses, residential telephone numbers, personal wireless telephone numbers, personal email addresses, social security numbers, and emergency contact information of dependents of employees or volunteers of a public agency. For purposes of this subsection (1)(d), "employees" includes independent provider home care workers as defined in RCW 74.39A.240;
(e) Information that identifies a person who, while an agency employee: (i) Seeks advice, under an informal process established by the employing agency, in order to ascertain his or her rights in connection with a possible unfair practice under chapter 49.60 RCW against the person; and (ii) requests his or her identity or any identifying information not be disclosed;
(f)(i) Except as provided in (f)(ii) of this subsection, investigative records compiled by an employing agency in connection with an investigation of a possible unfair practice under chapter 49.60 RCW or of a possible violation of other federal, state, or local laws or an employing agency's internal policies prohibiting discrimination or harassment in employment. Records are exempt in their entirety while the investigation is active and ongoing. After the agency has notified the complaining employee of the outcome of the investigation, the records may be disclosed only if the names, images, employee agency job titles, email addresses, and phone numbers of complainants, other accusers, and witnesses are redacted and their voices on any audio recording taken during the course of the investigation have been altered while retaining inflection and tone, except to the extent that such a complainant, other accuser, or witness has consented to the disclosure of such information. The employing agency must inform a complainant, other accuser, or witness that his or her name, image, agency job title, email address, and phone number will be redacted from the investigation records and their voice on any audio recording taken during the course of the investigation will be altered in accordance with this subsection unless he or she consents to disclosure;
(ii) After the investigation is complete and the complainant has been notified of the outcome of the investigation, if an elected government official is a complainant, the name and title of such elected government official shall not be redacted from the investigatory records;
(g) Criminal history records checks for board staff finalist candidates conducted pursuant to RCW 43.33A.025;
(h) Photographs and month and year of birth in the personnel files of employees or volunteers of a public agency, including employees and workers of criminal justice agencies as defined in RCW 10.97.030. The news media, as defined in RCW 5.68.010(5), shall have access to the photographs and full date of birth. For the purposes of this subsection (1)(h), news media does not include any person or organization of persons in the custody of a criminal justice agency as defined in RCW 10.97.030;
(i)(i) Any employee's name or other personally identifying information, including but not limited to birthdate, job title, addresses of work stations and locations, work email address, work phone number, bargaining unit, or other similar information, maintained by an agency in personnel-related records or systems, or responsive to a request for a list of individuals subject to the commercial purpose prohibition under RCW 42.56.070(8), if the employee:
(A) Has provided a sworn statement, signed under penalty of perjury and verified by the director of the employing agency or director's designee, that the employee or a dependent of the employee is a survivor of domestic violence as defined in RCW 10.99.020 or 7.105.010, sexual assault as defined in RCW 70.125.030 or sexual abuse as defined in RCW 7.105.010, stalking as described in RCW 9A.46.110 or defined in RCW 7.105.010, or harassment as described in RCW 9A.46.020 or defined in RCW 7.105.010, and notifying the agency as to why the employee has a reasonable basis to believe that the risk of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment continues to exist. A sworn statement under this subsection expires after two years, but may be subsequently renewed by providing a new sworn statement to the employee's employing agency; or
(B) Proof [Provides proof] to the employing agency of the employee's participation or the participation of a dependent in the address confidentiality program under chapter 40.24 RCW.
(ii) Any documentation maintained by an agency to administer this subsection (1)(i) is exempt from disclosure under this chapter and is confidential and may not be disclosed without consent of the employee who submitted the documentation. Agencies may provide information to their employees on how to submit a request to anonymize their work email address.
(iii) For purposes of this subsection (1)(i), "verified" means that the director of the employing agency or director's designee confirmed that the sworn statement identifies the alleged perpetrator or perpetrators by name and, if possible, image or likeness, or that the director or designee obtained from the employee a police report, protection order petition, or other documentation of allegations related to the domestic violence, sexual assault or abuse, stalking, or harassment.
(iv) The exemption in this subsection (1)(i) does not apply to public records requests from the news media as defined in RCW 5.68.010(5);
(j) The global positioning system data that would indicate the location of the residence of a public employee or volunteer using the global positioning system recording device;
(k) Information relating to a future voter, as provided in RCW 29A.08.725;
(l) Voluntarily submitted information collected and maintained by a state agency or higher education institution that identifies an individual state employee's personal demographic details. "Personal demographic details" means race or ethnicity, sexual orientation as defined by RCW 49.60.040, immigration status, national origin, or status as a person with a disability. This exemption does not prevent the release of state employee demographic information in a deidentified or aggregate format;
(m) Benefit enrollment information collected and maintained by the health care authority through its authority as director of the public employees' benefits board and school employees' benefits board programs as authorized by chapter 41.05 RCW. This subsection (1)(m) does not prevent the release of benefit enrollment information in a deidentified or aggregate format. "Benefit enrollment information" means:
(i) Information listed in (d) of this subsection;
(ii) Personal demographic details as defined in (l) of this subsection;
(iii) Benefit elections;
(iv) Date of birth;
(v) Documents provided for verification of dependency, such as tax returns or marriage or birth certificates;
(vi) Marital status;
(vii) Primary language spoken;
(viii) Tobacco use status; and
(ix) Tribal affiliation; and
(n) Information contributed by the department of licensing to the data system or shared with the cosmetology licensure compact commission, or member states described in the cosmetology licensure compact pursuant to RCW 18.16.400.
(2) Upon receipt of a request for information located exclusively in an employee's personnel, payroll, supervisor, or training file, the agency must provide notice to the employee, to any union representing the employee, and to the requestor. The notice must state:
(a) The date of the request;
(b) The nature of the requested record relating to the employee;
(c) That the agency will release any information in the record which is not exempt from the disclosure requirements of this chapter at least ten days from the date the notice is made; and
(d) That the employee may seek to enjoin release of the records under RCW 42.56.540.
[ 2025 c 283 s 1; 2025 c 238 s 5. Prior: 2023 c 458 s 1; 2023 c 361 s 15; 2023 c 45 s 1; 2020 c 106 s 1; prior: 2019 c 349 s 2; 2019 c 229 s 1; 2018 c 109 s 17; prior: 2017 c 38 s 1; 2017 c 16 s 1; 2014 c 106 s 1; prior: 2010 c 257 s 1; 2010 c 128 s 9; 2006 c 209 s 6; 2005 c 274 s 405.]
Notes:
Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2025 c 238 s 5 and by 2025 c 283 s 1, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).
Effective date—2025 c 238: See note following RCW 18.16.400.
Effective date—2023 c 458: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [May 15, 2023]." [ 2023 c 458 s 3.]
Findings—2019 c 349: "The legislature finds that workplace harassment remains a persistent problem and there is an urgent need to address barriers that prevent people from reporting harassment. The United States equal employment opportunity commission select task force on the study of harassment in the workplace released a report in 2016 finding that ninety percent of individuals who experience harassment never take formal action, and noting that seventy-five percent of employees who spoke out against workplace mistreatment faced some sort of retaliation. The legislature finds that it is in the public interest for state employees to feel safe to report incidents of harassment when it occurs and to protect these employees from an increased risk of retaliation. The legislature finds that the release of the identities of employees who report or participate in harassment investigations increases the risk of retaliation, invades the privacy of a vulnerable population, and significantly reduces reporting of harassment. The legislature finds that if state government can make it easier for victims and witnesses of harassment to come forward and report harassment, harassment issues can be dealt with before they worsen or spread." [ 2019 c 349 s 1.]
Findings—Intent—Effective date—2018 c 109: See notes following RCW 29A.08.170.

license: public-domain-government-work

rule_set: Revised Code of Washington

catchline: Employment and licensing. (Effective until June 1, 2028.)

code: rcw

unit: section

court: Washington State Legislature


title: RCW 42.56.260

text:
(1) Subject to the time limitations in subsection (2) of this section, the following documents relating to an agency's real estate transactions are exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter:
(a) Except as provided by chapter 8.26 RCW, the contents of real estate appraisals, made for or by any agency relative to the acquisition or sale of property;
(b) Documents prepared for the purpose of considering the selection of a site or the acquisition of real estate by lease or purchase when public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of increased price, including records prepared for executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(b); and
(c) Documents prepared for the purpose of considering the minimum price of real estate that will be offered for sale or lease when public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of decreased price, including records prepared for executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(c).
(2) The exemptions in this section do not apply when disclosure is mandated by another statute or after the project or prospective project is abandoned or all properties that are part of the project have been purchased, sold, or leased. No appraisal may be withheld for more than three years.
[ 2015 c 150 s 1; 2005 c 274 s 406.]

catchline: Real estate transactions.


title: RCW 42.56.270

text:
The following financial, commercial, and proprietary information is exempt from disclosure under this chapter:
(1) Valuable formulae, designs, drawings, computer source code or object code, and research data obtained by any agency within five years of the request for disclosure when disclosure would produce private gain and public loss;
(2) Financial information supplied by or on behalf of a person, firm, or corporation for the purpose of qualifying to submit a bid or proposal for (a) a ferry system construction or repair contract as required by RCW 47.60.680 through 47.60.750; (b) highway construction or improvement as required by RCW 47.28.070; or (c) alternative public works contracting procedures as required by RCW 39.10.200 through 39.10.905;
(3) Financial and commercial information and records supplied by private persons pertaining to export services provided under chapters 43.163 and 53.31 RCW, and by persons pertaining to export projects under RCW 43.23.035;
(4) Financial and commercial information and records supplied by businesses or individuals during application for loans or program services provided by chapters 43.325, 43.163, 43.160, 43.330, 43.168, and 43.181 RCW and RCW 43.155.160, or during application for economic development loans or program services provided by any local agency;
(5) Financial information, business plans, examination reports, and any information produced or obtained in evaluating or examining a business and industrial development corporation organized or seeking certification under chapter 31.24 RCW;
(6) Financial and commercial information supplied to the state investment board by any person when the information relates to the investment of public trust or retirement funds and when disclosure would result in loss to such funds or in private loss to the providers of this information;
(7) Financial and valuable trade information under RCW 51.36.120;
(8) Financial, commercial, operations, and technical and research information and data submitted to or obtained by the clean Washington center in applications for, or delivery of, program services under *chapter 70.95H RCW;
(9) Financial and commercial information requested by the public stadium authority from any person or organization that leases or uses the stadium and exhibition center as defined in RCW 36.102.010;
(10)(a) Financial information, including but not limited to account numbers and values, and other identification numbers supplied by or on behalf of a person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other entity related to an application for a horse racing license submitted pursuant to RCW 67.16.260(1)(b), cannabis producer, processor, or retailer license, liquor license, gambling license, or lottery retail license;
(b) Proprietary financial and security information submitted to or obtained by the gambling commission from and on behalf of license applicants, licensees, gaming facilities, or a tribe pursuant to an approved tribal/state compact. Proprietary financial and security information includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(i) Financial statements and transactions including but not limited to independent auditors' reports and financial statements with any supporting documents, bank account records, player tracking records, bond issuances, loan agreements, purchase agreements, and stock buyouts. However, quarterly license reports are not exempt;
(ii) Information that describes the internal operational system or internal procedures of the gaming facility designed to promote efficiency, safeguard assets, and avoid fraud and error, including but not limited to records pertaining to security camera technical specifications, operation, and placement; cash out procedures and locations; cage security information; building access controls; and personally identifiable information control procedures;
(iii) Gaming facility security information, including but not limited to descriptions of facility layout and schematics, firewall configurations, network topologies, source code, software files, cryptographic hashes of software files, risk and security assessment reports, disaster recovery plans, incident response plans, and any other sensitive information that may negatively impact the security of the facility if released; and
(iv) Gaming equipment information, including but not limited to related hardware, software, and security information, such as firewall configurations, field testing data and results from testing, network topologies or diagrams, source code, software files, cryptographic hashes of software files, schematics, user credentials, system components, and any other sensitive information about the equipment that may compromise the security and integrity of the equipment if released;
(c) Valuable formulae or financial or proprietary commercial information records received during a consultative visit or while providing consultative services to a licensed cannabis business in accordance with RCW 69.50.561;
(11) Proprietary data, trade secrets, or other information that relates to: (a) A vendor's unique methods of conducting business; (b) data unique to the product or services of the vendor; or (c) determining prices or rates to be charged for services, submitted by any vendor to the department of social and health services or the health care authority for purposes of the development, acquisition, or implementation of state purchased health care as defined in RCW 41.05.011;
(12)(a) When supplied to and in the records of the department of commerce:
(i) Financial and proprietary information collected from any person and provided to the department of commerce pursuant to RCW 43.330.050(8);
(ii) Financial or proprietary information collected from any person and provided to the department of commerce or the office of the governor in connection with the siting, recruitment, expansion, retention, or relocation of that person's business and until a siting decision is made, identifying information of any person supplying information under this subsection and the locations being considered for siting, relocation, or expansion of a business; and
(iii) Financial or proprietary information collected from any person and provided to the department of commerce pursuant to RCW 43.31.625 (3)(b) and (4);
(b) When developed by the department of commerce based on information as described in (a)(i) of this subsection, any work product is not exempt from disclosure;
(c) For the purposes of this subsection, "siting decision" means the decision to acquire or not to acquire a site;
(d) If there is no written contact for a period of 60 days to the department of commerce from a person connected with siting, recruitment, expansion, retention, or relocation of that person's business, information described in (a)(ii) of this subsection will be available to the public under this chapter;
(13) Financial and proprietary information submitted to or obtained by the department of ecology or the authority created under chapter 70A.500 RCW to implement chapter 70A.500 RCW;
(14) Financial, commercial, operations, and technical and research information and data submitted to or obtained by the life sciences discovery fund authority in applications for, or delivery of, grants under RCW 43.330.502, to the extent that such information, if revealed, would reasonably be expected to result in private loss to the providers of this information;
(15) Financial and commercial information provided as evidence to the department of licensing as required by RCW 19.112.110 or 19.112.120, except information disclosed in aggregate form that does not permit the identification of information related to individual fuel licensees;
(16) Any production records, mineral assessments, and trade secrets submitted by a permit holder, mine operator, or landowner to the department of natural resources under RCW 78.44.085;
(17)(a) Farm plans developed by conservation districts, unless permission to release the farm plan is granted by the landowner or operator who requested the plan, or the farm plan is used for the application or issuance of a permit;
(b) Farm plans developed under chapter 90.48 RCW and not under the federal clean water act, 33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251 et seq., are subject to RCW 42.56.610 and 90.64.190;
(18) Financial, commercial, operations, and technical and research information and data submitted to or obtained by a health sciences and services authority in applications for, or delivery of, grants under RCW 35.104.010 through 35.104.060, to the extent that such information, if revealed, would reasonably be expected to result in private loss to providers of this information;
(19) Information gathered under chapter 19.85 RCW or RCW 34.05.328 that can be identified to a particular business;
(20) Financial and commercial information submitted to or obtained by the University of Washington, other than information the university is required to disclose under RCW 28B.20.150, when the information relates to investments in private funds, to the extent that such information, if revealed, would reasonably be expected to result in loss to the University of Washington consolidated endowment fund or to result in private loss to the providers of this information;
(21) Market share data submitted by a manufacturer under RCW 70A.500.190(4);
(22) Financial information supplied to the department of financial institutions, when filed by or on behalf of an issuer of securities for the purpose of obtaining the exemption from state securities registration for small securities offerings provided under RCW 21.20.880 or when filed by or on behalf of an investor for the purpose of purchasing such securities;
(23) Unaggregated or individual notices of a transfer of crude oil that is financial, proprietary, or commercial information, submitted to the department of ecology pursuant to RCW 90.56.565(1)(a), and that is in the possession of the department of ecology or any entity with which the department of ecology has shared the notice pursuant to RCW 90.56.565;
(24) Financial institution and retirement account information, and building security plan information, supplied to the liquor and cannabis board pursuant to RCW 69.50.325, 69.50.331, 69.50.342, and 69.50.345, when filed by or on behalf of a licensee or prospective licensee for the purpose of obtaining, maintaining, or renewing a license to produce, process, transport, or sell cannabis as allowed under chapter 69.50 RCW;
(25) Cannabis transport information, vehicle and driver identification data, and account numbers or unique access identifiers issued to private entities for traceability system access, submitted by an individual or business to the liquor and cannabis board under the requirements of RCW 69.50.325, 69.50.331, 69.50.342, and 69.50.345 for the purpose of cannabis product traceability. Disclosure to local, state, and federal officials is not considered public disclosure for purposes of this section;
(26) Financial and commercial information submitted to or obtained by the retirement board of any city that is responsible for the management of an employees' retirement system pursuant to the authority of chapter 35.39 RCW, when the information relates to investments in private funds, to the extent that such information, if revealed, would reasonably be expected to result in loss to the retirement fund or to result in private loss to the providers of this information except that (a) the names and commitment amounts of the private funds in which retirement funds are invested and (b) the aggregate quarterly performance results for a retirement fund's portfolio of investments in such funds are subject to disclosure;
(27) Proprietary financial, commercial, operations, and technical and research information and data submitted to or obtained by the liquor and cannabis board in applications for cannabis research licenses under RCW 69.50.372, or in reports submitted by cannabis research licensees in accordance with rules adopted by the liquor and cannabis board under RCW 69.50.372;
(28) Trade secrets, technology, proprietary information, and financial considerations contained in any agreements or contracts, entered into by a licensed cannabis business under RCW 69.50.395, which may be submitted to or obtained by the state liquor and cannabis board;
(29) Financial, commercial, operations, and technical and research information and data submitted to or obtained by the Andy Hill cancer research endowment program in applications for, or delivery of, grants under chapter 43.348 RCW, to the extent that such information, if revealed, would reasonably be expected to result in private loss to providers of this information;
(30) Proprietary information filed with the department of health under chapter 69.48 RCW;
(31) Records filed with the department of ecology under chapter 70A.515 RCW that a court has determined are confidential valuable commercial information under RCW 70A.515.130;
(32) Unaggregated financial, proprietary, or commercial information submitted to or obtained by the liquor and cannabis board in applications for licenses under RCW 66.24.140 or 66.24.145, or in any reports or remittances submitted by a person licensed under RCW 66.24.140 or 66.24.145 under rules adopted by the liquor and cannabis board under chapter 66.08 RCW;
(33) Formulas and data public risk pools used to calculate rates for pool member contributions or assessments, and actuarial analyses and reports prepared by or for public risk pools;
(34) Unaggregated or individual information submitted to the department of revenue under RCW 82.17.020 pertaining to the sales price of zero-emission vehicle credits in transactions between manufacturers; and
(35) Information that is confidential pursuant to RCW 43.385.080(1), relating to the tourism assessment program.
[ 2026 c 229 s 18. Prior: 2025 c 419 s 9; 2025 c 176 s 1; 2025 c 81 s 1; 2023 c 340 s 11; prior: 2022 c 201 s 2; 2022 c 16 s 28; 2021 c 308 s 4; 2020 c 238 s 11; prior: 2019 c 394 s 10; 2019 c 344 s 14; 2019 c 212 s 12; prior: 2018 c 201 s 8008; 2018 c 196 s 21; 2018 c 4 s 9; 2017 c 317 s 17; prior: 2016 sp.s. c 9 s 3; 2016 sp.s. c 8 s 1; 2016 c 178 s 1; 2015 c 274 s 24; prior: 2014 c 192 s 6; 2014 c 174 s 5; 2014 c 144 s 6; 2013 c 305 s 14; 2011 1st sp.s. c 14 s 15; 2009 c 394 s 3; 2008 c 306 s 1; prior: 2007 c 470 s 2; (2007 c 470 s 1 expired June 30, 2008); 2007 c 251 s 13; (2007 c 251 s 12 expired June 30, 2008); 2007 c 197 s 4; (2007 c 197 s 3 expired June 30, 2008); prior: 2006 c 369 s 2; 2006 c 341 s 6; 2006 c 338 s 5; 2006 c 302 s 12; 2006 c 209 s 7; 2006 c 183 s 37; 2006 c 171 s 8; 2005 c 274 s 407.]
Notes:
*Reviser's note: Chapter 70.95H RCW was repealed in its entirety by 2017 3rd sp.s. c 25 s 9.
Findings—Intent—Tax preference performance statement exemption—Automatic expiration date exemption—Application—Effective date—2025 c 419: See notes following RCW 82.17.030.
Short title—Conflict with federal requirements—2023 c 340: See notes following RCW 43.181.040.
Intent—Finding—2022 c 16: See note following RCW 69.50.101.
Findings—Intent—2021 c 308: See note following RCW 43.31.625.
Findings—2019 c 394: See note following RCW 69.50.563.
Findings—Intent—Effective date—2018 c 201: See notes following RCW 41.05.018.
Findings—Application—2017 c 317: See notes following RCW 69.50.325.
Effective date—2015 c 274: See note following RCW 90.56.005.
Intent—2014 c 174: See note following RCW 28B.50.902.
Short title—Findings—Intent—2014 c 144: See notes following RCW 21.20.880.
Effective date—2013 c 305: See note following RCW 70A.500.020.
Intent—2009 c 394: See note following RCW 28B.20.150.
Effective date—2008 c 306 s 1: "Section 1 of this act takes effect June 30, 2008." [ 2008 c 306 s 2.]
Effective date—2007 c 470 s 2: "Section 2 of this act takes effect June 30, 2008." [ 2007 c 470 s 4.]
Expiration date—2007 c 470 s 1: "Section 1 of this act expires June 30, 2008." [ 2007 c 470 s 3.]
Effective date—2007 c 251 s 13: "Section 13 of this act takes effect June 30, 2008." [ 2007 c 251 s 18.]
Expiration date—2007 c 251 s 12: "Section 12 of this act expires June 30, 2008." [ 2007 c 251 s 17.]
Captions not law—Severability—2007 c 251: See notes following RCW 35.104.010.
Effective date—2007 c 197 s 4: "Section 4 of this act takes effect June 30, 2008." [ 2007 c 197 s 11.]
Expiration date—2007 c 197 s 3: "Section 3 of this act expires June 30, 2008." [ 2007 c 197 s 10.]
Effective date—2006 c 369 s 2: "Section 2 of this act takes effect July 1, 2006." [ 2006 c 369 s 3.]
Effective date—2006 c 341 s 6: "Section 6 of this act takes effect July 1, 2006." [ 2006 c 341 s 7.]
Findings—Intent—2006 c 338: See note following RCW 19.112.110.
Effective date—2006 c 338: See RCW 19.112.903.
Effective date—2006 c 302 ss 10 and 12: See note following RCW 66.28.180.
Construction—Severability—Effective date—2006 c 183: See RCW 70A.500.900 and 70A.500.901.
Effective date—2006 c 171 ss 8 and 10: "Sections 8 and 10 of this act take effect July 1, 2006." [ 2006 c 171 s 13.]

catchline: Financial, commercial, and proprietary information.


title: RCW 42.56.280

text:
Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, and intra-agency memorandums in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated or recommended are exempt under this chapter, except that a specific record is not exempt when publicly cited by an agency in connection with any agency action.
[ 2005 c 274 s 408.]

catchline: Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, intra-agency memorandums.


title: RCW 42.56.290

text:
Records that are relevant to a controversy to which an agency is a party but which records would not be available to another party under the rules of pretrial discovery for causes pending in the superior courts are exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
[ 2005 c 274 s 409.]

catchline: Agency party to controversy.


title: RCW 42.56.300

text:
(1) Records, maps, or other information identifying the location of archaeological sites in order to avoid the looting or depredation of such sites are exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
(2) Records, maps, and other information, acquired during watershed analysis pursuant to the forests and fish report under RCW 76.09.370, that identify the location of archaeological sites, historic sites, artifacts, or the sites of traditional religious, ceremonial, or social uses and activities of affected Indian tribes, are exempt from disclosure under this chapter in order to prevent the looting or depredation of such sites.
(3) Any site form, report, specific fields and tables relating to site form data within a database, or geographic information systems spatial layer obtained by any state agency or local government, or shared between any state agency, local government, or tribal government, is exempt from disclosure under this chapter, if the material is related to:
(a) An archaeological site as defined in RCW 27.53.030;
(b) Historical [Historic] archaeological resources as defined in RCW 27.53.030; or
(c) Traditional cultural places.
(4) The local government or agency shall respond to requests from the owner of the real property for public records exempt under subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this section by providing information to the requestor on how to contact the department of archaeology and historic preservation to obtain available locality information on archaeological and cultural resources.
[ 2014 c 165 s 1; 2006 c 86 s 1; 2005 c 274 s 410.]
Notes:
Effective date—2006 c 86: "This act takes effect July 1, 2006." [ 2006 c 86 s 2.]

catchline: Archaeological sites.


title: RCW 42.56.310

text:
Any library record, the primary purpose of which is to maintain control of library materials, or to gain access to information, that discloses or could be used to disclose the identity of a library user is exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
[ 2005 c 274 s 411.]

catchline: Library records.


title: RCW 42.56.315

text:
Information received by a school district superintendent, a designee of the superintendent, or a principal pursuant to RCW 28A.225.330, 9A.44.138, 13.04.155, 13.40.215, or 72.09.730 is exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
[ 2020 c 167 s 10.]

catchline: Certain student information.


title: RCW 42.56.320

text:
The following educational information is exempt from disclosure under this chapter:
(1) Financial disclosures filed by private vocational schools under chapters 28B.85 and 28C.10 RCW;
(2) Financial and commercial information supplied by or on behalf of a person, firm, corporation, or entity under chapter 28B.95 RCW relating to the purchase or sale of tuition units and contracts for the purchase of multiple tuition units;
(3) Individually identifiable information received by the workforce training and education coordinating board for research or evaluation purposes;
(4) Except for public records as defined in RCW 40.14.010, any records or documents obtained by a state college, university, library, or archive through or concerning any gift, grant, conveyance, bequest, or devise, the terms of which restrict or regulate public access to those records or documents; and
(5) The annual declaration of intent filed by parents under RCW 28A.200.010 for a child to receive home-based instruction.
[ 2009 c 191 s 1; 2005 c 274 s 412.]

catchline: Educational information.


title: RCW 42.56.325

text:
Household income information received by the office of the superintendent of public instruction, school district employees, or designees of either in accordance with the electronic repository established under RCW 28A.235.285 is exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
[ 2022 c 111 s 2.]

catchline: Statewide electronic repository for school meals.


title: RCW 42.56.330

text:
The following information relating to public utilities and transportation is exempt from disclosure under this chapter:
(1) Records filed with the utilities and transportation commission or attorney general under RCW 80.04.095 or 81.77.210 that a court has determined are confidential under RCW 80.04.095 or 81.77.210;
(2) The addresses, telephone numbers, electronic contact information, and customer-specific utility usage and billing information in increments less than a billing cycle of the customers of a public utility contained in the records or lists held by the public utility of which they are customers, except that this information may be released to the division of child support or the agency or firm providing child support enforcement for another state under Title IV-D of the federal social security act, for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of a support order;
(3) The names, residential addresses, residential telephone numbers, and other individually identifiable records held by an agency in relation to a vanpool, carpool, or other ride-sharing program or service. Participants' names, general locations, and point of contact may be disclosed to other persons who apply for ride-matching services and who need that information in order to identify potential riders or drivers with whom to share rides;
(4) The personally identifying information of current or former participants or applicants in a paratransit or other transit service operated for the benefit of persons with disabilities or elderly persons;
(5) The personally identifying information of persons who acquire and use transit passes or other fare payment media including, but not limited to, stored value smart cards and magnetic strip cards, except that an agency may disclose personally identifying information to a person, employer, educational institution, or other entity that is responsible, in whole or in part, for payment of the cost of acquiring or using a transit pass or other fare payment media for the purpose of preventing fraud. As used in this subsection, "personally identifying information" includes acquisition or use information pertaining to a specific, individual transit pass or fare payment media.
(a) Information regarding the acquisition or use of transit passes or fare payment media may be disclosed in aggregate form if the data does not contain any personally identifying information.
(b) Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies if the request is accompanied by a court order;
(6) Any information obtained by governmental agencies that is collected by the use of a motor carrier intelligent transportation system or any comparable information equipment attached to a truck, tractor, or trailer; however, the information may be given to other governmental agencies or the owners of the truck, tractor, or trailer from which the information is obtained. As used in this subsection, "motor carrier" has the same definition as provided in RCW 81.80.010;
(7) The personally identifying information of persons who acquire and use transponders or other technology to facilitate payment of tolls. This information may be disclosed in aggregate form as long as the data does not contain any personally identifying information. For these purposes aggregate data may include the census tract of the account holder as long as any individual personally identifying information is not released. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies only for toll enforcement purposes. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies for other purposes only if the request is accompanied by a court order;
(8) The personally identifying information of persons who acquire and use a driver's license or identicard that includes a radio frequency identification chip or similar technology to facilitate border crossing. This information may be disclosed in aggregate form as long as the data does not contain any personally identifying information. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies only for United States customs and border protection enforcement purposes. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies for other purposes only if the request is accompanied by a court order; and
(9) Personally identifying information included in safety complaints submitted under chapter 81.61 RCW.
[ 2017 c 333 s 6; 2015 c 224 s 4. Prior: 2014 c 170 s 2; 2014 c 33 s 1; 2012 c 68 s 4; 2010 c 128 s 8; 2008 c 200 s 6; 2007 c 197 s 5; 2006 c 209 s 8; 2005 c 274 s 413.]
Notes:
Effective date—2017 c 333: See note following RCW 81.61.010.

catchline: Public utilities and transportation.


title: RCW 42.56.335

text:
A law enforcement authority may not request inspection or copying of records of any person who belongs to a public utility district or a municipally owned electrical utility unless the authority provides the public utility district or municipally owned electrical utility with a written statement in which the authority states that it suspects that the particular person to whom the records pertain has committed a crime and the authority has a reasonable belief that the records could determine or help determine whether the suspicion might be true. Information obtained in violation of this section is inadmissible in any criminal proceeding.
[ 2007 c 197 s 6.]

catchline: Public utility districts and municipally owned electrical utilities—Restrictions on access by law enforcement authorities.


title: RCW 42.56.350

text:
(1) The federal social security number of individuals governed under chapter 18.130 RCW maintained in the files of the department of health is exempt from disclosure under this chapter. The exemption in this section does not apply to requests made directly to the department from federal, state, and local agencies of government, and national and state licensing, credentialing, investigatory, disciplinary, and examination organizations.
(2) The current residential address and current residential telephone number of a health care provider governed under chapter 18.130 RCW maintained in the files of the department are exempt from disclosure under this chapter, if the provider requests that this information be withheld from public inspection and copying, and provides to the department of health an accurate alternate or business address and business telephone number. The current residential address and residential telephone number of a health care provider governed under RCW 18.130.040 maintained in the files of the department of health shall automatically be withheld from public inspection and copying unless the provider specifically requests the information be released, and except as provided for under *RCW 42.56.070(9).
[ 2005 c 274 s 415.]
Notes:
*Reviser's note: RCW 42.56.070 was amended by 2017 c 304 s 1, changing subsection (9) to subsection (8).

catchline: Health professionals.


title: RCW 42.56.355

text:
(1) Information distributed to any Washington health profession board or commission by an interstate health professions licensure compact or member boards as described in RCW 18.71B.080(6) of the interstate medical licensure compact is exempt from disclosure under this chapter. This exemption does not prohibit the requestor from requesting these documents from the state of origin.
(2) This exemption does not pertain to any records created by Washington health profession boards or commissions from the documents described in subsection (1) of this section. Records created by Washington health profession boards or commissions from the documents described in subsection (1) of this section may be exempt under other sections of this chapter.
[ 2017 c 195 s 25.]

catchline: Interstate medical licensure compact.


title: RCW 42.56.357

text:
(1) Information in documents distributed to the Washington medical commission by the interstate physician assistant licensure compact as described in RCW 18.71C.070(2), including identifying information, licensure data, adverse actions against a license or compact privilege, or license application denials and the reason(s) for such denial, is exempt from disclosure under this chapter. Such information may be requested from the state of origin.
(2) The exemption in subsection (1) of this section does not pertain to any records created by the Washington medical commission from the documents described in subsection (1) of this section or any other materials created by the Washington medical commission.
[ 2024 c 53 s 15.]

catchline: Interstate physician assistant licensure compact.


title: RCW 42.56.360

text:
(1) The following health care information is exempt from disclosure under this chapter:
(a) Information obtained by the pharmacy quality assurance commission as provided in RCW 69.45.090;
(b) Information obtained by the pharmacy quality assurance commission or the department of health and its representatives as provided in RCW 69.41.044, 69.41.280, and 18.64.420;
(c) Information and documents created specifically for, and collected and maintained by a quality improvement committee under RCW 43.70.510, 70.230.080, or 70.41.200, or by a peer review committee under RCW 4.24.250, or by a quality assurance committee pursuant to RCW 74.42.640 or 18.20.390, or by a hospital, as defined in RCW 43.70.056, for reporting of health care-associated infections under RCW 43.70.056, a notification of an incident under RCW 70.56.040(5), and reports regarding adverse events under RCW 70.56.020(2)(b), regardless of which agency is in possession of the information and documents;
(d)(i) Proprietary financial and commercial information that the submitting entity, with review by the department of health, specifically identifies at the time it is submitted and that is provided to or obtained by the department of health in connection with an application for, or the supervision of, an antitrust exemption sought by the submitting entity under RCW 43.72.310;
(ii) If a request for such information is received, the submitting entity must be notified of the request. Within ten business days of receipt of the notice, the submitting entity shall provide a written statement of the continuing need for confidentiality, which shall be provided to the requester. Upon receipt of such notice, the department of health shall continue to treat information designated under this subsection (1)(d) as exempt from disclosure;
(iii) If the requester initiates an action to compel disclosure under this chapter, the submitting entity must be joined as a party to demonstrate the continuing need for confidentiality;
(e) Records of the entity obtained in an action under RCW 18.71.300 through 18.71.340;
(f) Complaints filed under chapter 18.130 RCW after July 27, 1997, to the extent provided in RCW 18.130.095(1);
(g) Information obtained by the department of health under chapter 70.225 RCW;
(h) Information collected by the department of health under chapter 70.245 RCW except as provided in RCW 70.245.150;
(i) Cardiac and stroke system performance data submitted to national, state, or local data collection systems under RCW 70.168.150(2)(b);
(j) All documents, including completed forms, received pursuant to a wellness program under RCW 41.04.362, but not statistical reports that do not identify an individual;
(k) Data and information exempt from disclosure under RCW 43.371.040;
(l) Medical information contained in files and records of members of retirement plans administered by the department of retirement systems or the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' plan 2 retirement board, as provided to the department of retirement systems under RCW 41.04.830; and
(m) Data submitted to the data integration platform under RCW 71.24.908.
(2) Chapter 70.02 RCW applies to public inspection and copying of health care information of patients.
(3)(a) Documents related to infant mortality reviews conducted pursuant to RCW 70.05.170 are exempt from disclosure as provided for in RCW 70.05.170(3).
(b)(i) If an agency provides copies of public records to another agency that are exempt from public disclosure under this subsection (3), those records remain exempt to the same extent the records were exempt in the possession of the originating entity.
(ii) For notice purposes only, agencies providing exempt records under this subsection (3) to other agencies may mark any exempt records as "exempt" so that the receiving agency is aware of the exemption, however whether or not a record is marked exempt does not affect whether the record is actually exempt from disclosure.
(4) Information and documents related to maternal mortality reviews conducted pursuant to RCW 70.54.450 are confidential and exempt from public inspection and copying.
(5) Patient health care information contained in reports submitted under RCW 71.24.847(2) are confidential and exempt from public inspection.
(6) Information and documents related to traffic fatality reviews conducted under RCW 43.59.040 (1)(f), (2)(a), and (5) are confidential and exempt from public inspection and copying.
[ 2026 c 152 s 1; 2024 c 366 s 19; 2023 sp.s. c 1 s 23; 2020 c 323 s 2; 2016 c 238 s 2; 2014 c 223 s 17; 2013 c 19 s 47. Prior: 2010 c 128 s 3; 2010 c 52 s 6; prior: 2009 c 1 s 24 (Initiative Measure No. 1000, approved November 4, 2008); ( 2009 c 1 s 23 (Initiative Measure No. 1000, approved November 4, 2008) expired July 1, 2009); 2008 c 136 s 5; (2008 c 136 s 4 expired July 1, 2009); prior: 2007 c 273 s 25; 2007 c 261 s 4; 2007 c 259 s 49; prior: 2006 c 209 s 9; 2006 c 8 s 112; 2005 c 274 s 416.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—2024 c 366: See note following RCW 71.24.847.
Finding—2014 c 223: See note following RCW 41.05.690.
Findings—Intent—2010 c 52: See note following RCW 70.168.015.
Expiration date—2009 c 1 (Initiative Measure No. 1000) s 23: "Section 23 of this act expires July 1, 2009." [ 2009 c 1 s 31 (Initiative Measure No. 1000, approved November 4, 2008).]
Short title—Effective dates—2009 c 1 (Initiative Measure No. 1000): See RCW 70.245.901 and 70.245.903.
Effective date—2008 c 136 s 5: "Section 5 of this act takes effect July 1, 2009." [ 2008 c 136 s 7.]
Expiration date—2008 c 136 s 4: "Section 4 of this act expires July 1, 2009." [ 2008 c 136 s 6.]
Effective date—Implementation—2007 c 273: See RCW 70.230.900 and 70.230.901.
Findings—2007 c 261: See note following RCW 43.70.056.
Subheadings not law—2007 c 259: See note following RCW 7.70.060.
Effective date—2006 c 8 ss 112 and 210: "Sections 112 and 210 of this act take effect July 1, 2006." [ 2006 c 8 s 405.]
Findings—Intent—Part headings and subheadings not law—Severability—2006 c 8: See notes following RCW 5.64.010.
Basic health plan—Confidentiality: RCW 70.47.150.

catchline: Health care.


title: RCW 42.56.365

text:
All or part of any vital records, reports, supporting documentation, vital statistics, data, or information contained therein under chapter 70.58A RCW are not subject to public inspection and copying under this chapter.
[ 2019 c 148 s 39.]
Notes:
Effective date—Rule-making authority—2019 c 148: See RCW 70.58A.901 and 70.58A.902.

catchline: Vital records.


title: RCW 42.56.370

text:
Client records maintained by an agency that is a domestic violence program as defined in RCW 70.123.020 or 70.123.075 or a community sexual assault program or services for underserved populations as defined in RCW 70.125.030 are exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
[ 2012 c 29 s 13; 2005 c 274 s 417.]

catchline: Client records of domestic violence programs, or community sexual assault programs or services for underserved populations.


title: RCW 42.56.375

text:
(1) For the purposes of RCW 28B.112.040 through 28B.112.080 regarding postsecondary educational institutions, personal identifying information in an employee personnel file, student file, investigation file, settlement agreement, or other files held by a postsecondary educational institution that reveals the identity of witnesses to or victims of sexual misconduct committed at the postsecondary educational institution by an employee of the institution are exempt from public disclosure and copying. If the victim or witness indicates a desire for disclosure of the victim's or witness' personal identifying information, such desire shall govern.
(2) For purposes of this section, "witness" does not mean an employee under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct.
[ 2020 c 335 s 7.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—2020 c 335: See note following RCW 28B.112.040.

catchline: Sexual misconduct—Postsecondary educational institutions—Personal information of witnesses and victims.


title: RCW 42.56.380

text:
The following information relating to agriculture and livestock is exempt from disclosure under this chapter:
(1) Business-related information under RCW 15.86.110;
(2) Information provided under RCW 15.54.362;
(3) Production or sales records required to determine assessment levels and actual assessment payments to commodity boards and commissions formed under chapters 15.24, 15.26, 15.28, 15.44, 15.65, 15.66, 15.74, 15.88, 15.115, 15.100, 15.89, and 16.67 RCW or required by the department of agriculture to administer these chapters or the department's programs;
(4) Consignment information contained on phytosanitary certificates issued by the department of agriculture under chapters 15.13, 15.49, and 15.17 RCW or federal phytosanitary certificates issued under 7 C.F.R. 353 through cooperative agreements with the animal and plant health inspection service, United States department of agriculture, or on applications for phytosanitary certification required by the department of agriculture;
(5) Financial and commercial information and records supplied by persons (a) to the department of agriculture for the purpose of conducting a referendum for the potential establishment of a commodity board or commission; or (b) to the department of agriculture or commodity boards or commissions formed under chapter 15.24, 15.28, 15.44, 15.65, 15.66, 15.74, 15.88, 15.115, 15.100, 15.89, or 16.67 RCW with respect to domestic or export marketing activities or individual producer's production information;
(6) Information obtained regarding the purchases, sales, or production of an individual American ginseng grower or dealer, except for providing reports to the United States fish and wildlife service under RCW 15.19.080;
(7) Information collected regarding packers and shippers of fruits and vegetables for the issuance of certificates of compliance under RCW 15.17.140(2) and 15.17.143;
(8) Financial statements obtained under RCW 16.65.030(1)(d) for the purposes of determining whether or not the applicant meets the minimum net worth requirements to construct or operate a public livestock market;
(9) Information submitted by an individual or business to the department of agriculture under the requirements of chapters 16.36, 16.57, and 43.23 RCW for the purpose of herd inventory management for animal disease traceability. This information includes animal ownership, numbers of animals, locations, contact information, movements of livestock, financial information, the purchase and sale of livestock, account numbers or unique identifiers issued by government to private entities, and information related to livestock disease or injury that would identify an animal, a person, or location. Disclosure to local, state, and federal officials is not public disclosure. This exemption does not affect the disclosure of information used in reportable animal health investigations under chapter 16.36 RCW once they are complete;
(10) Results of testing for animal diseases from samples submitted by or at the direction of the animal owner or his or her designee that can be identified to a particular business or individual;
(11) Records of international livestock importation that can be identified to a particular animal, business, or individual received from the United States department of homeland security or the United States department of agriculture that are not disclosable by the federal agency under federal law including 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552;
(12) Records related to the entry of prohibited agricultural products imported into Washington state or that had Washington state as a final destination received from the United States department of homeland security or the United States department of agriculture that are not disclosable by the federal agency under federal law including 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552;
(13) Information obtained from the federal government or others under contract with the federal government or records obtained by the department of agriculture, in accordance with RCW 15.135.100;
(14) Hop grower lot numbers and laboratory results associated with the hop grower lot numbers where this information is used by the department of agriculture to issue export documents;
(15) Information or records obtained pursuant to a food and drug administration contract or commissioning agreement, in accordance with RCW 15.130.150; and
(16) The following information or records obtained from the federal food and drug administration by the public health laboratories within the department of health pursuant to a contract or agreement entered into for the purpose of obtaining funding for monitoring food supplies for harmful contaminants, to the extent it is exempt from disclosure under 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552, the federal freedom of information act: Trade secrets; confidential commercial information; information under the federal deliberative process privilege; information compiled for law enforcement purposes; and information expressly required to be kept confidential by other federal laws.
[ 2021 c 99 s 1; 2019 c 337 s 3. Prior: 2018 c 170 s 1; 2018 c 106 s 11; 2012 c 168 s 1; 2010 c 128 s 2; 2009 c 33 s 37; 2007 c 177 s 1; prior: 2006 c 330 s 26; 2006 c 75 s 3; 2005 c 274 s 418.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—2019 c 337: See note following RCW 15.130.150.
Effective date—2006 c 330 s 26: "Section 26 of this act takes effect July 1, 2006." [ 2006 c 330 s 32.]
Construction—2006 c 330: See RCW 15.89.900.
Effective date—2006 c 75 s 3: "Section 3 of this act takes effect July 1, 2006." [ 2006 c 75 s 5.]
Findings—2006 c 75: "The legislature finds that livestock identification numbers, premise information, and animal movement data are proprietary information that all have a role in defining a livestock producer's position within the marketplace, including his or her competitive advantage over other producers. The legislature therefore finds that exempting certain voluntary livestock identification, premise, and movement information from state public disclosure requirements will foster an environment that is more conducive to voluntary participation, and lead to a more effective livestock identification system." [ 2006 c 75 s 1.]

catchline: Agriculture and livestock.


title: RCW 42.56.390

text:
Names of individuals residing in emergency or transitional housing that are furnished to the department of revenue or a county assessor in order to substantiate a claim for property tax exemption under RCW 84.36.043 are exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
[ 2005 c 274 s 419.]

catchline: Emergency or transitional housing.


title: RCW 42.56.395

text:
Information obtained by the department of commerce under chapter 43.185A RCW during monitoring activities or contract administration that reveals the name or other personal information of occupants or prospective tenants of affordable housing, or the street address of the residential real property occupied or applied for by tenants or prospective tenants of affordable housing, is exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
[ 2023 c 275 s 11.]

catchline: Affordable housing occupants and tenants.


title: RCW 42.56.400

text:
The following information relating to insurance and financial institutions is exempt from disclosure under this chapter:
(1) Records maintained by the board of industrial insurance appeals that are related to appeals of crime victims' compensation claims filed with the board under RCW 7.68.110;
(2) Information obtained and exempted or withheld from public inspection by the health care authority under RCW 41.05.026, whether retained by the authority, transferred to another state purchased health care program by the authority, or transferred by the authority to a technical review committee created to facilitate the development, acquisition, or implementation of state purchased health care under chapter 41.05 RCW;
(3) The names and individual identification data of either all owners or all insureds, or both, received by the insurance commissioner under chapter 48.102 RCW;
(4) Information provided under RCW 48.30A.045 through 48.30A.060;
(5) Information provided under RCW 48.05.510 through 48.05.535, 48.43.200 through 48.43.225, 48.44.530 through 48.44.555, and 48.46.600 through 48.46.625;
(6) Examination reports and information obtained by the department of financial institutions from banks under RCW 30A.04.075, from savings banks under RCW 32.04.220, from savings and loan associations under RCW 33.04.110, from credit unions under RCW 31.12.565, from check cashers and sellers under RCW 31.45.030(3), and from securities brokers and investment advisers under RCW 21.20.100, information that could reasonably be expected to reveal the identity of a whistleblower under RCW 21.40.090, and information received under RCW 43.320.190, all of which are confidential and privileged information;
(7) Information provided to the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.110.040(3);
(8) Documents, materials, or information obtained by the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.02.065, all of which are confidential and privileged;
(9) Documents, materials, or information obtained or provided by the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.31B.015(2) (l) and (m), 48.31B.025, 48.31B.030, 48.31B.035, and 48.31B.036, all of which are confidential and privileged;
(10) Data filed under RCW 48.140.020, 48.140.030, 48.140.050, and 7.70.140 that, alone or in combination with any other data, may reveal the identity of a claimant, health care provider, health care facility, insuring entity, or self-insurer involved in a particular claim or a collection of claims. For the purposes of this subsection:
(a) "Claimant" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.140.010(2).
(b) "Health care facility" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.140.010(6).
(c) "Health care provider" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.140.010(7).
(d) "Insuring entity" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.140.010(8).
(e) "Self-insurer" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.140.010(11);
(11) Documents, materials, or information obtained by the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.135.060;
(12) Documents, materials, or information obtained by the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.37.060;
(13) Confidential and privileged documents obtained or produced by the insurance commissioner and identified in RCW 48.37.080;
(14) Documents, materials, or information obtained by the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.37.140;
(15) Documents, materials, or information obtained by the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.17.595;
(16) Documents, materials, or information obtained by the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.102.051(1) and 48.102.140 (3) and (7)(a)(ii);
(17) Documents, materials, or information obtained by the insurance commissioner in the commissioner's capacity as receiver under RCW 48.31.025 and 48.99.017, which are records under the jurisdiction and control of the receivership court. The commissioner is not required to search for, log, produce, or otherwise comply with the public records act for any records that the commissioner obtains under chapters 48.31 and 48.99 RCW in the commissioner's capacity as a receiver, except as directed by the receivership court;
(18) Documents, materials, or information obtained by the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.13.151;
(19) Data, information, and documents provided by a carrier pursuant to section 1, chapter 172, Laws of 2010;
(20) Information in a filing of usage-based insurance about the usage-based component of the rate pursuant to RCW 48.19.040(5)(b);
(21) Data, information, and documents that are submitted to the office of the insurance commissioner by an entity providing health care coverage pursuant to RCW 28A.400.275;
(22) Data, information, and documents obtained by the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.29.017;
(23) Information not subject to public inspection or public disclosure under RCW 48.43.730(5);
(24) Documents, materials, or information obtained by the insurance commissioner under chapter 48.05A RCW;
(25) Documents, materials, or information obtained by the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.74.025, 48.74.028, 48.74.100(6), 48.74.110(2) (b) and (c), and 48.74.120 to the extent such documents, materials, or information independently qualify for exemption from disclosure as documents, materials, or information in possession of the commissioner pursuant to a financial conduct examination and exempt from disclosure under RCW 48.02.065;
(26) Nonpublic personal health information obtained by, disclosed to, or in the custody of the insurance commissioner, as provided in RCW 48.02.068;
(27) Documents, materials, or other information, including the corporate annual disclosure obtained by the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.195.020;
(28) Findings and orders disapproving acquisition of a trust institution under RCW 30B.53.100(3);
(29) All claims data, including health care and financial related data received under RCW 41.05.890, received and held by the health care authority;
(30) Documents, materials, or information obtained by the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.150.100, except for providers' names and business addresses;
(31) Contracts not subject to public disclosure under RCW 48.200.040 and 48.43.731; and
(32) Data, information, and documents obtained from an insurer, or by or from the insurance commissioner, under RCW 48.05.320.
[ 2025 c 243 s 1; 2025 c 225 s 1; 2023 c 149 s 12; 2022 c 8 s 2. Prior: 2020 c 243 s 4; 2020 c 240 s 9; 2019 c 389 s 102; prior: 2018 c 260 s 32; 2018 c 30 s 9; prior: 2017 3rd sp.s. c 30 s 2; 2017 c 193 s 2; prior: 2016 c 142 s 20; (2016 c 142 s 19 expired July 1, 2017); 2016 c 122 s 4; prior: 2015 c 122 s 14; 2015 c 122 s 13; 2015 c 17 s 11; 2015 c 17 s 10; prior: 2013 c 277 s 5; 2013 c 65 s 5; 2012 2nd sp.s. c 3 s 8; 2012 c 222 s 2; 2011 c 188 s 21; prior: 2010 c 172 s 2; 2010 c 97 s 3; 2009 c 104 s 23; prior: 2007 c 197 s 7; 2007 c 117 s 36; 2007 c 82 s 17; prior: 2006 c 284 s 17; 2006 c 8 s 210; 2005 c 274 s 420.]
Notes:
Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2025 c 225 s 1 and by 2025 c 243 s 1, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).
Rule making—Effective date—2020 c 240: See RCW 48.200.900 and 48.200.901.
Effective date—2018 c 260 ss 14, 22, 23, 31, and 32: See note following RCW 41.05.075.
Effective date—2018 c 30: See note following RCW 48.195.005.
Effective date—2017 3rd sp.s. c 30: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [July 7, 2017]." [ 2017 3rd sp.s. c 30 s 3.]
Effective date—2016 c 142 s 20: "Section 20 of this act takes effect July 1, 2017." [ 2016 c 142 s 23.]
Expiration date—2016 c 142 s 19: "Section 19 of this act expires July 1, 2017." [ 2016 c 142 s 22.]
Effective date—2016 c 142: See note following RCW 48.74.010.
Intent—2016 c 122: See note following RCW 48.46.243.
Effective dates—2015 c 122: See note following RCW 48.31B.005.
Short title—Effective dates—2015 c 17: See RCW 48.05A.900 and 48.05A.901.
Findings—Goals—Intent—2012 2nd sp.s. c 3: See note following RCW 28A.400.275.
Effective date—2011 c 188: See RCW 48.13.900.
Effective date—2007 c 117: See RCW 48.17.901.
Effective date—2006 c 284: See RCW 48.135.901.
Effective date—2006 c 8 ss 112 and 210: See note following RCW 42.56.360.
Findings—Intent—Part headings and subheadings not law—Severability—2006 c 8: See notes following RCW 5.64.010.

catchline: Insurance and financial institutions.


title: RCW 42.56.403

text:
Documents, materials, and information obtained by the insurance commissioner under RCW 48.05.385(2) are confidential and privileged and not subject to public disclosure under this chapter.
[ 2006 c 25 s 3.]
Notes:
Short title—2006 c 25 ss 1-3: See note following RCW 48.05.383.
Effective date—2006 c 25 ss 1-4: See note following RCW 48.05.383.

catchline: Property and casualty insurance statements of actuarial opinion.


title: RCW 42.56.410

text:
The following information related to employment security is exempt from disclosure under this chapter:
(1) Records maintained by the employment security department and subject to chapter 50.13 or 50A.25 RCW if provided to another individual or organization for operational, research, or evaluation purposes are exempt from disclosure under this chapter; and
(2) Any inventory or data map records created under RCW 50.13.120(1)(b) that reveal the location of personal information or the extent to which it is protected.
[ 2019 c 81 s 10; 2019 c 13 s 68; 2005 c 274 s 421.]
Notes:
Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2019 c 13 s 68 and by 2019 c 81 s 10, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

catchline: Employment security department records, certain purposes.


title: RCW 42.56.420

text:
The following information relating to security is exempt from disclosure under this chapter:
(1) Those portions of records assembled, prepared, or maintained to prevent, mitigate, or respond to criminal terrorist acts, which are acts that significantly disrupt the conduct of government or of the general civilian population of the state or the United States and that manifest an extreme indifference to human life, the public disclosure of which would have a substantial likelihood of threatening public safety, consisting of:
(a) Specific and unique vulnerability assessments or specific and unique response or deployment plans, including compiled underlying data collected in preparation of or essential to the assessments, or to the response or deployment plans; and
(b) Records not subject to public disclosure under federal law that are shared by federal or international agencies, and information prepared from national security briefings provided to state or local government officials related to domestic preparedness for acts of terrorism;
(2) Those portions of records containing specific and unique vulnerability assessments or specific and unique emergency and escape response plans at a city, county, or state adult or juvenile correctional facility, or secure facility for persons civilly confined under chapter 71.09 RCW, the public disclosure of which would have a substantial likelihood of threatening the security of a city, county, or state adult or juvenile correctional facility, secure facility for persons civilly confined under chapter 71.09 RCW, or any individual's safety;
(3) Information compiled by school districts or schools in the development of their comprehensive safe school plans under RCW 28A.320.125, to the extent that they identify specific vulnerabilities of school districts and each individual school;
(4) Information regarding the public and private infrastructure and security of computer and telecommunications networks, consisting of security passwords, security access codes and programs, access codes for secure software applications, security and service recovery plans, security risk assessments, and security test results to the extent that they identify specific system vulnerabilities, and other such information the release of which may increase risk to the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of security, information technology infrastructure, or assets;
(5) The system security and emergency preparedness plan required under RCW 35.21.228, 35A.21.300, 36.01.210, 36.57.120, 36.57A.170, and 81.112.180; and
(6) Personally identifiable information of employees, and other security information, of a private cloud service provider that has entered into a criminal justice information services agreement as contemplated by the United States department of justice criminal justice information services security policy, as authorized by 28 C.F.R. Part 20.
[ 2023 c 404 s 3; 2022 c 140 s 1; 2021 c 26 s 1; 2017 c 149 s 1; 2016 c 153 s 1; 2013 2nd sp.s. c 33 s 9; 2009 c 67 s 1; 2005 c 274 s 422.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—2023 c 404: See note following RCW 29A.08.105.
Application—2022 c 140 ss 1 and 2: See note following RCW 29A.04.260.
Effective date—2022 c 140: See note following RCW 29A.04.260.
Application—2021 c 26: "The exemptions in this act apply to any public records requests made prior to April 14, 2021, for which the disclosure of records has not already occurred." [ 2021 c 26 s 2.]
Effective date—2021 c 26: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [April 14, 2021]." [ 2021 c 26 s 3.]

catchline: Security.


title: RCW 42.56.422

text:
The reports and information compiled pursuant to RCW 43.105.450 and section 7, chapter 291, Laws of 2021 are confidential and may not be disclosed under this chapter.
[ 2021 c 291 s 8.]

catchline: Office of cybersecurity—Reports and information.


title: RCW 42.56.423

text:
The reports and information, or any portions thereof, that are designated confidential by the cybersecurity advisory committee under RCW 38.52.040(4) and the technology services board security subcommittee under RCW 43.105.291 are confidential and may not be disclosed under this chapter.
[ 2023 c 124 s 4.]

catchline: Cybersecurity advisory committee and technology services board security subcommittee.