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Bill would require DOC to make reasonable efforts to accommodate religious diets at no cost
Summary
Senate Bill 5131 would require the Department of Corrections to accommodate religious diets free of charge and permit coordination with nonprofit partners for donated or special menu items; DOC supports the policy but warned the current draft has provisions that would raise significant costs.
Senate Bill 5131, sponsored by Sen. Claire Wilson, would require the Washington State Department of Corrections to make reasonable efforts to provide religious diets to incarcerated individuals at no cost and to coordinate with nonprofit partners for donated or special menu items. The Human Services Committee heard the bill and multiple witnesses.
Kelsey Ann, committee staff, summarized current DOC food‑service policy: at intake incarcerated people may select a religious diet (vegetarian, halal or kosher) at no cost; a later change of religious diet triggers a fee; therapeutic diets determined by medical review take precedence over religious diets unless declined. The bill would require DOC…
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