The bill seeks to enhance the authority and operational clarity of the Office of Independent Investigations (OII) in Washington State by introducing new definitions and expanding its jurisdiction. It defines "involved agency" as the agency employing the officer involved in an incident and "involved officer" as any peace officer acting within their authority, regardless of duty status. The OII's jurisdiction is broadened to include investigations of any death occurring during or after a use of force by an involved officer, as well as prior investigations if new evidence emerges. Additionally, the bill establishes confidentiality for investigative records until a case is referred to a prosecutor and outlines the responsibilities of involved agencies in preserving evidence and notifying the OII of incidents.

Moreover, the legislation introduces provisions to protect sensitive information related to child victims and survivors of sexual assault, ensuring that identifying details are kept confidential. It specifies exemptions from public disclosure for certain types of information, including data from gang databases and body-worn camera recordings. The bill mandates that body-worn camera recordings be retained for at least 60 days and outlines the rights of individuals involved in such incidents to access the recordings. Overall, the bill aims to balance the need for transparency in law enforcement with the imperative of protecting personal privacy and sensitive information.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 9A.04.110, 43.102.080, 43.102.120