BILL REQ. #:  S-0967.1 

Read first time 02/01/2005.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     AN ACT Relating to the immigration status of crime victims, witnesses, and others seeking assistance from law enforcement personnel; and adding a new section to chapter 10.97 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 10.97 RCW to read as follows:
     General or limited authority Washington peace officers or specially commissioned Washington peace officers, and general or limited authority Washington law enforcement agencies, as defined in RCW 10.93.020, shall not inquire about the immigration status of crime victims, witnesses, or others who call or approach these officers or agencies seeking assistance. Officers or agencies who provide public safety services shall not request specific documents for the sole purpose of determining an individual's immigration status. However, if voluntarily offered by an individual in response to a general request for identification, it is permissible to rely on immigration documents for the purpose of establishing the individual's identity.