AN ACT Relating to limiting disclosure of information about the religious affiliation of individuals; adding a new section to chapter 49.60 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 42.56 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 42 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

(1) Washington state celebrates the rich cultural heritage and diversity of its residents; and

(2) Freedom of religion and protection from persecution on the basis of religion is one of the founding ideals of the nation.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 49.60 RCW to read as follows:

It is an unfair practice for an employer to:

(1) Require an employee to disclose his or her sincerely held religious affiliation or beliefs, unless the disclosure is for the purpose of providing a religious accommodation at the request of the employee; or

(2) Require or authorize an employee to disclose information about the religious affiliation of another employee, unless the individual whose religious affiliation will be disclosed (a) expressly consents to the disclosure, and (b) has knowledge of the purpose for the disclosure.

(1) Provide or disclose to federal government authorities personally identifiable information regarding the religious beliefs, practices, or affiliation of any individual, except where the employee is a witness to a crime;

(2) Use public funds, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to assist in creation, implementation, or enforcement of any government program compiling a list, registry, or database of personally identifiable information about individuals based on religious beliefs, practice, or affiliation, for law enforcement or immigration purposes; or

(3) Make personally identifiable information from agency databases available, including any databases maintained by private vendors contracting with the agency, to anyone or any entity for the purpose of investigation or enforcement under any government program compiling a list, registry, or database of individuals based on religious belief, practice, or affiliation, or national origin, or ethnicity for law enforcement or immigration purposes.

(1) Collect information on the religious belief, practice, or affiliation of any individual except (a) as part of a targeted investigation of an individual based on reasonable suspicion that the individual has engaged in criminal activity, and when there is a clear nexus between the criminal activity and the specific information collected about religious belief, practice, or affiliation, or (b) where necessary to provide religious accommodations; or

(2) Use public funds, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to investigate, enforce, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any criminal, civil, or administrative violation, or warrant for a violation, of any requirement that individuals register with the federal government or any federal agency based on religion.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7.  A new section is added to chapter 42.56 RCW to read as follows:

All records that relate to or contain personally identifying information about an individual's religious beliefs, practices, or affiliation are exempt from disclosure under this chapter.

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