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Bill

Bill

S 5954

Relates to prohibiting law enforcement officers and peace officers from inquiring about the immigration status of a victim or witness to a criminal offense

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Parker

Prohibits officers from asking victims or witnesses about immigration status, protecting informants and boosting reporting and cooperation with law enforcement.

REFERRED TO FINANCE
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 5954

Summary of Bill S 5954

Overview

  • Bill Number: S 5954
  • Title: Relates to prohibiting law enforcement officers and peace officers from inquiring about the immigration status of a victim or witness to a criminal offense
  • Sponsor: Kevin S. Parker (primary)
  • Status: Referred to Finance
  • Introduced: March 4, 2025
  • Related/Companion: A 8194 (companion); related bills in prior sessions include S 1410, S 3212, S 3619, S 8211, S 2833, S 4602, S 5045, and S 6005

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to protect victims and witnesses by prohibiting law enforcement officers and peace officers from inquiring about an individual’s immigration status when they are interacting with a victim or a witness to a criminal offense. The underlying intent appears to be to encourage reporting, cooperation, and candid communication with law enforcement among immigrant communities by reducing fear of immigration consequences.

Key Provisions (as inferred from the title and summary)

  • Prohibition on inquiries: Law enforcement officers and peace officers would be barred from asking about an individual’s immigration status in the context of interacting with a victim or a witness to a criminal offense.
  • Scope of interaction: Applies to victims and witnesses, not necessarily to suspects or arrestees (based on the bill’s stated focus on victims/witnesses).
  • Enforcement and remedies: Specific enforcement mechanisms, penalties, exceptions, or definitions are not provided in the available summary.

Affected Parties and Stakeholders

  • Primary audience: Law enforcement officers and peace officers in the jurisdiction covered by S 5954.
  • Affected individuals: Victims and witnesses participating in criminal investigations or proceedings.
  • Related governance: The Finance Committee will review fiscal implications as part of the bill’s consideration.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill was introduced on March 4, 2025 and immediately referred to the Finance Committee, indicating a requirement for fiscal impact analysis or budgeting considerations.
  • The duplicate "REFERRED TO FINANCE" entries reflect standard committee referral; no further action details are provided in the summary.

Fiscal and Budget Considerations

  • Being referred to Finance suggests the bill may have associated budgetary effects (e.g., costs related to training, policy implementation, data handling, or compliance). Specific dollar amounts or fiscal impact are not provided in the available information.

Background and Context

  • The presence of multiple related bills across prior sessions (S 1410, S 3212, S 3619, S 8211, S 2833, S 4602, S 5045, S 6005; and companion A 8194) indicates ongoing attention to immigration status inquiries in policing and consistent bipartisan or cross-chamber interest.
  • A companion bill (A 8194) suggests parallel consideration in the other legislative chamber.

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Positive: May reduce chilling effects, increase trust, and improve reporting and cooperation from immigrant communities.
  • Practical considerations: Requires clear definitions, training for officers, and guidance on how to handle situations where immigration status may be relevant to public safety or investigative needs.
  • Monitor: Track committee reports, amendments, and any fiscal notes from Finance to understand implementation requirements and costs.

Next Steps

  • Follow the bill’s progress through the Finance Committee and any subsequent floor votes.
  • Review any fiscal note(s) and potential amendments, especially around definitions, exceptions, and enforcement processes.
  • Compare with the companion A 8194 for aligned language and potential differences between chambers.

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

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