The bill amends RCW 7.105.352 to establish a program for the issuance of protection order hope cards, which are designed to enhance the safety of individuals under protection orders. The administrative office of the courts is tasked with developing and implementing this program in collaboration with various judicial and advocacy organizations. The hope cards will now include a scannable electronic format that contains essential information about the restrained person, the protected individuals, and details regarding the protection order, including any firearm prohibitions. The bill emphasizes a trauma-informed approach in the design and implementation of the hope cards, prioritizing the protection of individuals from harm.

Additionally, the bill specifies that individuals with valid full protection orders can request a hope card without incurring any fees, and it clarifies that the hope card holds the same legal weight as the underlying protection order. A new section is also added to chapter 2.56 RCW, mandating that the administrative office of the courts ensures consistent reporting and database entry of the required information across all courts. This legislative change aims to streamline the process and improve the accessibility of protection order information for law enforcement and the individuals involved.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 7.105.352
Substitute Bill: 7.105.352
Bill as Passed Legislature: 7.105.352
Session Law: 7.105.352