The bill aims to amend the public records act in Washington State to protect certain scholarly communications from disclosure. It recognizes the importance of confidentiality in academic settings, where faculty, students, and research subjects engage in candid discussions and peer reviews. The legislature emphasizes that maintaining confidentiality is crucial for fostering an environment conducive to academic integrity and innovation, allowing for the development of intellectual property without the fear of premature public exposure.

To implement these protections, the bill introduces a new section to chapter 42.56 RCW, which exempts specific records from public inspection and copying. This includes the identity of human subjects in research studies when confidentiality is guaranteed, materials related to peer reviews of scholarly manuscripts and research proposals, and unpublished data, computer code, or draft manuscripts until they are publicly disseminated or published. The bill defines "human subject" and "research" according to federal regulations, ensuring clarity in its application.