Washington HB2637: PRA/personal information

What the bill says

An act Relating to safeguarding personal information entrusted to agencies that is of no legitimate concern to the public; and reenacting and amending RCW 42.56.230.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT Relating to safeguarding personal information entrusted to agencies that is of no legitimate concern to the public; and reenacting and amending RCW 42.56.230. Sec. 1. RCW 42.56.230 and 2023 c 361 s 14, 2023 c 346 s 1, and 2023 c 182 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows: The following personal information is exempt from public inspection and copying under this (2)(a) Personal (ii) For a child enrolled in a public or nonprofit program serving or pertaining to children, adolescents, or students, including but not limited to early learning or child care services, parks and recreation programs, youth development programs, and after-school programs; (iii) For a student enrolled or previously enrolled in a local education agency, in any records pertaining to the student, including correspondence; (iv) For the family members or guardians of a child who is subject to the exemption under this subsection (2) if the family member or guardian has the same last name as the child or if the family member or guardian resides at the same address as the child and disclosure of the family member's or guardian's information would result in disclosure of the personal information exempted under (a)(i) through (iii) of this subsection; or (v) For substitute caregivers who are licensed or approved to provide overnight care …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Mia Gregerson (D) · primary sponsor
• Sharlett Mena (D)
• Lauren Davis (D)
• Chris Stearns (D)
• Lillian Ortiz-Self (D)
• Lisa Parshley (D)
• Mary Fosse (D)
• Edwin Obras (D)
• Roger Goodman (D)
• Timm Ormsby (D)
• Jamila Taylor (D)
• Janice Zahn (D)

Latest actions

1. March 12, 2026: By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.
2. February 24, 2026: Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 1:30 PM.
3. February 20, 2026: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 10:30 AM.
4. February 18, 2026: First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
5. February 16, 2026: Third reading, passed; yeas, 52; nays, 45; absent, 0; excused, 1.
6. February 16, 2026: Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
7. February 16, 2026: Floor amendment
8. February 16, 2026: 2nd substitute bill substituted
9. February 14, 2026: Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
10. February 9, 2026: Referred to Rules 2 Review.

Votes

• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 16, 2026): 52 yea, 45 nay, passed
• House Committee on Appropriations: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations (February 9, 2026): 18 yea, 12 nay, passed
• House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 3, 2026): 4 yea, 3 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB2637?

HB2637 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): PRA/personal information.

What does HB2637 do?

In its own words: An act Relating to safeguarding personal information entrusted to agencies that is of no legitimate concern to the public; and reenacting and amending RCW 42.56.230.

What is the status of HB2637?

Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2637?

Mia Gregerson (D), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2637?

On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2637&Year=2025