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Thurston County to publish "Know Your Rights" web page; county to provide printed pamphlets in atrium
Summary
Commissioners approved publishing a draft 'Know Your Rights' web page and directed staff to make printed pamphlets available in the county atrium; the board discussed language coverage, accessibility and next steps to expand translations and distribution.
The Board of County Commissioners approved publication of a draft "Know Your Rights" web page prepared by county communications staff and directed that printed copies of the materials be made available in the county atrium information rack.
Presentation: Susan, Chief Communications Manager, previewed the draft page and said it collects county, state and external resources, including a printable card and multi-language PDFs and videos licensed from Monterey County. "The page is currently in draft form," Susan said, and staff planned to publish it and add a homepage block linking to the resource once commissioners approved.
Content and languages: Commissioners praised the compilation but raised concerns about language coverage and access for residents without reliable internet access. Commissioners asked staff to pursue additional translations and to make printed materials available at public-facing county locations. Susan told the board the team used the languages available from the external resource and would add additional translations when they become available.
Board action: A majority of the board voted to publish the page during the meeting. Commissioners then approved a separate motion to place five printed copies of the "Know Your Rights" materials in the county atrium information rack while staff develop broader distribution plans.
Why it matters: The page centralizes legal and community resources about rights when interacting with law enforcement, court procedures, and public safety agencies; commissioners emphasized the importance of translation, ADA compliance and careful wording to avoid inadvertently triggering downloads or disclosures.
Next steps: Staff will publish the page, add a homepage link, pursue additional translations, and provide printed copies in the atrium. Commissioners asked staff to report back on broader print and distribution strategies that could reach residents without internet access.
