Washington House passes bill to standardize jail strip-search rules after heated debate over staff protections

The Washington House passed Substitute House Bill 1604 on final passage after several hours of debate over how local jails should conduct strip searches and whether staff may decline specific search duties for religious or consent reasons.

Supporters said the bill clarifies and aligns local jails with federal standards, citing the Prison Rape Elimination Act. Representative Saladin, the bill’s floor speaker, said the legislation "adds important safeguards and guidelines, which build upon federal law" and will "help our local officials know what to do in different situations and yes to protect the dignity of all in Washington state." Advocates on the floor said the bill gives counties and cities clearer rules to comply with state and federal requirements.

Opponents argued the bill would change working conditions for corrections officers and could force female staff to perform invasive duties on people with male anatomy. Representative Griffey said the bill, in its current form, would "force women to have to do something that they may never have had to do in their life" and urged rejection. Representative Jacobson also warned of staffing and…