Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB1604: Jail searches/gender
Status: Signed into law, March 11, 2026
Providing parameters for conducting searches of transgender and intersex individuals confined in a local jail in compliance with federal law.
What the bill says
An act Relating to providing parameters for conducting searches of transgender and intersex individuals confined in a local jail in compliance with federal law; amending RCW 10.79.100; and adding a new section to chapter 70.48 RCW. NEW SECTION.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to providing parameters for conducting searches of transgender and intersex individuals confined in a local jail in compliance with federal law; amending RCW 10.79.100; and adding a new section to chapter 70.48 RCW. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 70.48 RCW to read as follows: (1) Local jail administrators shall develop and implement policies and procedures for conducting a search of a transgender or intersex individual confined at the jail that are, at a minimum, in compliance with this section and the federal prison rape elimination act, 34 U.S.C. Sec. 30301 et seq., and its regulations, as they existed on January 1, 2025. (a) A search or physical examination may not be conducted on a transgender or intersex individual confined at the jail for the sole purpose of determining the individual's genital status. If the individual's genital status is unknown, it may be determined during conversations with the individual, by reviewing medical records, or, if necessary, by learning that information as part of a broader medical examination conducted in private by a medical practitioner. (b) A jail shall train security staff in how to conduct cross gender searches, and searches of transgender and intersex individuals, in a professional and respectful manner, and in the least intrusive manner possible, consistent with security needs. …
Sponsors
- Osman Salahuddin (D) · primary sponsor
- Amy Walen (D)
- Strom Peterson (D)
- Darya Farivar (D)
- Alex Ramel (D)
- Mia Gregerson (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Julia Reed (D)
- Timm Ormsby (D)
- Shelley Kloba (D)
- Davina Duerr (D)
- Natasha Hill (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 17, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 3, 2026): 30 yea, 19 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Human Services: Do pass (February 24, 2026): 3 yea, 2 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 4, 2026): 56 yea, 39 nay, passed
- House Committee on Community Safety: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 20, 2025): 6 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND JAILS
Common questions
- What is HB1604?
- HB1604 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Jail searches/gender.
- What does HB1604 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to providing parameters for conducting searches of transgender and intersex individuals confined in a local jail in compliance with federal law; amending RCW 10.79.100; and adding a new section to chapter 70.48 RCW. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB1604?
- Signed into law as of March 11, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 11, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1604?
- Osman Salahuddin (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1604?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1604&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.