The bill establishes a new "missing and murdered indigenous women and people cold case investigations assistance unit" within the Washington State Attorney General's office. This unit is designed to assist federal, municipal, county, and tribal law enforcement agencies in solving cold cases involving missing and murdered indigenous women and people. The unit will prioritize assistance to jurisdictions lacking sufficient resources for such investigations and will employ a culturally attuned, trauma-informed, and family-centered approach. It will not conduct investigations independently but will provide support at the request of the primary jurisdiction over a case.

The legislation highlights the alarming rates of violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women, including significantly higher murder rates compared to the national average. It acknowledges the challenges faced by families of missing and murdered indigenous individuals, particularly in the context of unsolved cases. The bill aims to enhance the resources available to law enforcement and other agencies, thereby addressing the ongoing crisis of violence against indigenous women and people in Washington State.