This bill amends existing laws regarding toxicology testing in Washington State, specifically focusing on the procedures and standards for blood and breath analysis in cases involving driving under the influence of intoxicating substances. Key changes include the specification that breath analysis for alcohol concentration will be based on grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath, and blood analysis for THC concentration will be measured in nanograms per milliliter. The bill also clarifies that valid analyses must be performed by individuals with permits issued by the state toxicologist or by laboratories certified under international standards for forensic toxicology testing. Additionally, local governments are permitted to accept donations to facilitate these analyses but are not required to fund them.

The bill outlines the conditions under which breath tests are admissible in court, including the requirement for a 15-minute observation period prior to testing and specific temperature and accuracy standards for the testing equipment. It also establishes that blood tests must be conducted by qualified medical professionals and sets forth conditions for the collection of blood samples. The bill includes provisions for individuals to have their own tests conducted and mandates that full information about the tests be made available to the tested individuals or their attorneys. Notably, the bill includes an expiration date of June 30, 2027, for the provisions in Section 1, while Section 2 will take effect on the same date.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 46.61.506
Substitute bill: 46.61.506