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SB 5427

Concerning people who have been targeted or affected by hate crimes and bias incidents.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Andy Billig and 15 co-sponsors

Creates an Attorney General-run hate crimes and bias incidents hotline, with data collection, victim privacy protections, referrals, and consent-based sharing with local police.

Effective date 1/1/2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 5427

SB 5427 — Summary (hotline and tracking for hate crimes & bias incidents)

Status and timing
- Enacted by the 2024 Legislature (Substitute SB 5427), signed by the Governor March 26, 2024 (Chapter 299, 2024 Laws).
- Statutory effective date: January 1, 2025.
- Key program deadlines in the statute: pilot hotline by July 1, 2025 (at least three counties, including one in Eastern Washington); statewide operation by January 1, 2027; first public annual report by July 1, 2027 and annually thereafter.

Purpose
- To support people targeted or affected by hate crimes and bias incidents by creating an Attorney General–overseen reporting hotline, establishing data collection and reporting requirements, protecting victim privacy, and coordinating referrals to local services.

Key provisions and changes
- Hotline establishment and operation
- The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) must oversee a “hate crimes and bias incidents hotline” staffed during business hours to assist people who are targeted or affected.
- Hotline services must be victim-centered, culturally competent, trauma‑informed, and as broadly accessible across languages as resources allow.
- The AGO must identify local and culturally specific service providers for referrals and coordinate with counties and other relevant hotlines.

  • Advisory committee

    • The AGO must create an advisory committee including representatives from legal aid, at least five community organizations serving historically underserved communities, local/culturally specific service providers, state agencies, and other relevant entities.
    • Committee members are to be compensated consistent with RCW 43.03.220 (per diem/expenses rules); elected officials or those participating on behalf of an employer/government are not eligible for travel reimbursement.

  • Pilot and statewide rollout

    • Pilot in at least three counties (one in Eastern Washington) by July 1, 2025.
    • Full statewide implementation by January 1, 2027.

  • Data collection, reporting, and privacy

    • The AGO must collect information on incidents reported to the hotline and provide annual information (aggregated) to the Governor and Legislature and post it on the AGO website (first required by July 1, 2027 for the prior calendar year).
    • Personal identifying information (PII) of reporting individuals must be excluded from public reports and is made confidential and exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Act (amendment to RCW 42.56.240).
    • “Personal identifying information” is defined broadly (name, address, DOB, SSN, email, phone, driver’s license, bank account, etc.).

  • Interaction with law enforcement

    • Any law enforcement agency that receives a report of a hate crime or bias incident must provide the hotline phone number and website to the targeted/affected person.
    • When a person reports to the hotline, the hotline must ask whether the incident was reported to law enforcement. With the reporting person’s consent, the hotline must share the person’s PII (name, address, contact info) with the primary local law enforcement agency; if the person consents to partial disclosure, only the consented information is shared.
    • Hotline incident-sharing with law enforcement (when done without PII) is to be anonymized.

Definitions
- “Bias incident” — hostile expression of animus related to a listed protected characteristic (per RCW 9A.36.080 / 49.60.030) that is not appropriate for criminal investigation or prosecution; excludes incidents where investigating officer finds probable cause and excludes protected expressions of political speech.
- “Hate crime” — as defined in RCW 9A.36.080 (commission, attempt, or alleged commission of enumerated offenses motivated by protected characteristic).
- “Protected class” — includes race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression/identity, and mental/physical/sensory disability, among others.

Who is affected
- People targeted or affected by hate crimes and bias incidents (victims and witnesses).
- Attorney General’s Office (program oversight, reporting, advisory committee).
- Local service providers and community organizations (referral partners).
- Law enforcement agencies (must provide hotline info to victims; receive information from hotline when consented).
- Members of the advisory committee (compensation rules apply).

Potential impacts
- Centralized, victim‑oriented access point for reporting and referrals; improved coordination and referral to culturally specific supports.
- New statewide data stream about reported hate crimes and bias incidents outside of—or complementary to—law enforcement reporting, while protecting PII.
- Increased information-sharing with law enforcement when victims consent, potentially improving investigative follow‑up while preserving victim choice and privacy.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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