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Bill

Bill

SB 5906

Establishing data and personal safety protections within areas of public accommodation for all Washington residents.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jess Bateman and 11 co-sponsors

Washington bill requiring public accommodations to establish data privacy and personal safety protections for customer information collection and storage practices.

Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 5906

Legislative bill overview

SB 5906 establishes data protection and personal safety standards for businesses and organizations that serve the public in Washington State. The bill requires public accommodations to implement safeguards for collecting, storing, and using customer personal information while maintaining physical safety protocols. It sets baseline privacy and security requirements across retail, hospitality, healthcare, and other sectors open to the general public.

Why is this important

Data breaches and privacy violations at public-facing businesses directly affect millions of Washington residents' financial security, identity, and physical safety. As digital collection of personal information becomes routine, establishing enforceable standards prevents misuse and creates accountability mechanisms when violations occur. This legislation addresses gaps between current business practices and consumer protection needs.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance costs: Small businesses and independent operators may face significant expenses implementing new data security infrastructure and protocols, potentially affecting competitive dynamics
  • Scope and enforcement clarity: Ambiguity about which entities qualify as "public accommodations" and how violations will be enforced could create uneven application or litigation
  • Data minimization vs. business operations: Restrictions on data collection and retention may conflict with legitimate business needs for customer service, marketing, and fraud prevention
  • Privacy vs. safety tradeoffs: Defining how data restrictions coexist with physical safety monitoring (cameras, access logs) in public spaces remains contested

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

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