The bill establishes a hate crimes and bias incidents hotline under the oversight of the attorney general's office, designed to assist individuals affected by such incidents. The hotline will operate during business hours, offering victim-centered, culturally competent, and trauma-informed support while coordinating with local service providers. An advisory committee will be formed to guide the hotline's operations, and the attorney general's office is tasked with launching a pilot program in at least three counties by July 1, 2025, with a goal for statewide implementation by January 1, 2027. The hotline will also track and report hate crime data annually, ensuring the confidentiality of personal identifying information.

Additionally, the bill amends RCW 42.56.240 to enhance the confidentiality protections for information related to hate crimes and bias incidents. It requires law enforcement agencies to provide hotline information to individuals reporting such incidents and mandates that the hotline inquire whether the individual has reported the incident to law enforcement. With consent, the hotline can share personal identifying information with local law enforcement. The bill also clarifies the definitions of "hate crime" and "bias incident" to ensure a comprehensive understanding of these terms. Furthermore, it introduces provisions regarding the confidentiality of child forensic interviews and specifies that the act will be null and void if specific funding is not secured by June 30, 2024, with an effective date of January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 42.56.240
Substitute Bill: 42.56.240
Bill as Passed Legislature: 42.56.240
Session Law: 42.56.240