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Washington House passes bill to align local jail strip-search rules with federal standards after contentious floor debate
Summary
The House passed an engrossed substitute of House Bill 1604 to clarify local jail strip-search procedures and align them with federal standards; most floor amendments seeking opt-outs or expanded exemptions were rejected, though the implementation date was moved to 2026. Final passage was 56–39 with 3 excused.
The Washington state House on final passage approved an engrossed substitute of House Bill 1604, a measure directing local jails to adopt clear procedures for strip searches and bringing local practice into alignment with federal standards. The bill passed after extended floor debate and a roll call that the clerk reported as 56 yays, 39 nays and 3 excused.
Supporters said the bill provides needed clarity and consistent standards for local jurisdictions struggling to interpret federal guidance. "House bill 16 04 reflects those shared values," Representative Saladin said, urging colleagues to vote yes to help local officials "know what to do in different situations and yes to protect the dignity of all in Washington state." Advocates framed the legislation as implementing the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) requirements and setting uniform procedures for jails that had lacked consistent policy.
Opponents raised concerns about staffing, safety and the burden on corrections officers, particularly women, who they said could be required to conduct searches of biological males under some circumstances. Representative Griffey argued the bill "has too many flaws that our police and sheriffs ... are gonna have to navigate," citing officer feedback and urging the bill be perfected in committee. Representative Graham warned passage "will make [staffing] worse," saying the measure "strips away a woman's right to consent." Representative Waters recounted firsthand experience conducting strip searches and urged caution about safety and training.
Lawmakers considered a series of floor amendments addressing religious or conscience accommodations, opt-outs for staff, explicit inclusion of "gender identity," limits on how frequently an inmate could change declared identity, expansion of exigent-circumstance language, and a wholesale substitute rewrite of the bill. Most of those amendments were defeated by voice vote or division; notable outcomes included:
- Amendment 14-70 (technical): moved the bill's implementation date from 2025 to 2026 and was adopted by voice vote. - Amendment 14-91 (insert "gender identity"): debated extensively, put to division and roll call; the clerk recorded 37 yays, 15 nays, 3 excused and the chair announced the amendment was not adopted. - Multiple other amendments (14-92, 14-94, 14-93, 14-95, 14-96, 14-97 and a striking substitute 14-89) were debated and not adopted.
Supporters said the bill imposes uniform procedural requirements and helps local jails comply with federal law; opponents said it risked operational confusion, would exacerbate staffing shortages, and could expose local jurisdictions to liability. The sponsor urged the House to support local officials in implementing consistent practice while protecting safety and dignity.
Having passed the House, the engrossed substitute of House Bill 1604 will proceed according to the Legislature's next procedural steps (not recorded in this transcript).
