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House approves bill to add rapid-response alerts for missing Indigenous people
Summary
Delegates approved House Bill 2.09 to add an Amber-style rapid-response alert system for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIW/MMIP), with estimated startup costs and delegates citing the need for better visibility and coordination across tribal and state authorities.
House Bill 2.09 passed on the floor, proposing an amendment to RCW to add rapid-response alert protocols focused on missing and murdered Indigenous women and people. Proponent Malia Kicking Woman said Washington’s large Native population and the state’s high ranking on the risk of Native people going missing justify targeted action. The bill includes a funding estimate for initial implementation ($650,000–$1,050,000) and ongoing maintenance ($50,000–$100,000 annually).
Debate covered jurisdictional questions and whether tribal police and state patrol already have protocols; the author said the measure would be active across the state and not limited to reservation land. Delegates argued state funding is appropriate because the problem crosses jurisdictions and causes lives to fall through cracks; supporters emphasized interagency training and a rapid-response system to ensure missing Indigenous people receive timely public attention. The chamber voted to pass the bill.
