Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee

HB 2511

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Addressing motorcycle profiling.

Sponsors: Representatives Kirby, Blake, Upthegrove, Conway, Van De Wege, Ormsby, Moeller, Campbell and Haigh.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires law enforcement agencies to adopt policies and institute training to stop motorcycle profiling.

Hearing Date: 2/2/10

Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

Profiling occurs when a law enforcement officer singles out a suspect with certain characteristics because the officer believes that the class of persons that exhibits the characteristics is more likely than others to commit crimes. With respect to profiling based on race, local law enforcement agencies must:

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) and the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) must ensure that issues related to racial profiling are addressed in basic law enforcement training and offered in regional training for in-service law enforcement officers.

Summary of Bill:

Local law enforcement agencies must:

The WASPC and the CJTC must ensure that issues related to motorcycle profiling are addressed in basic law enforcement training and offered in regional training for in-service law enforcement officers. "Motorcycle profiling" is defined as using the fact that a person rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle-related paraphernalia as a factor in deciding to stop and question, take enforcement action, arrest, or search a person or vehicle with or without legal basis under the United States Constitution or the Washington Constitution.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.