The bill amends various sections of the Washington State address confidentiality program to strengthen protections for individuals fleeing domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking. Key enhancements include the addition of "harassment," "stalking," and "trafficking" as qualifying reasons for program participation, and it clarifies that the designated address provided by the Secretary of State will serve as the participant's actual address for public records. The definitions of terms such as "actual address," "applicant," and "program participant" have been updated to ensure the program is more inclusive and effective in safeguarding the identities of vulnerable individuals.

Additionally, the application process has been streamlined, requiring applicants to submit specific information, including a sworn statement regarding their safety concerns and designating the Secretary of State as their agent for service of process. The bill also establishes a clearer certification process for program participants, including a four-year certification period and conditions for cancellation. It emphasizes the responsibilities of program participants in requesting the use of their substitute address by government agencies and ensures that public records containing their residential addresses are exempt from public inspection. Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions to maintain the confidentiality of participants' actual addresses in voting and law enforcement contexts, enhancing the overall privacy and security for those in the program.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 40.24.010, 40.24.030, 40.16.030, 40.24.050, 40.24.060, 40.24.070, 80.36.570, 40.24.100