2527-S AMS SGTE S7066.1
SHB 2527 - S COMM AMD
By Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections
ADOPTED 03/03/2020
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 43.62 RCW to read as follows:
(1) It is the intent of the legislature to affirm that every Washingtonian has the right and obligation to participate in the federal decennial census freely and without fear of fraud, intimidation, or harm, and to inform the public of these rights.
(2) The legislature affirms the rights of Washingtonians to all of the following, to be known as the Washington census bill of rights and responsibilities:
(a) To participate in the federal decennial census free of threat or intimidation;
(b) To the confidentiality of the information provided in the census form, as provided by federal law;
(c) To respond to the census by means made available to the respondent, either by phone, by mail, online, or in person;
(d) To request language assistance in accordance with federal law; and
(e) To verify the identity of a census worker.
(3) The secretary of state shall translate the Washington census bill of rights and responsibilities into languages other than English, consistent with the federal voting rights act of 1965, 52 U.S.C. Sec. 10503.
(4) The office of financial management shall make the Washington census bill of rights and responsibilities available on its internet web site and available for inclusion on city and county census internet web sites and census questionnaire assistance center internet web sites.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 9A.60 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A person is guilty of impersonating a census taker if the person falsely represents that he or she is a census taker with the intent to:
(a) Interfere with the operation of the census;
(b) Obtain information; or
(c) Obtain consent to enter a private dwelling.
(2) Impersonating a census taker is a gross misdemeanor.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 19.86 RCW to read as follows:
Mailing materials with the intent to deceive a person into believing that the material is an official census communication, interfere with the operation of the census, or discourage a person from participating in the census constitutes an unfair or deceptive practice under this chapter.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately."
SHB 2527 - S COMM AMD
By Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections
ADOPTED 03/03/2020
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "census;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new section to chapter 43.62 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 9A.60 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 19.86 RCW; prescribing penalties; and declaring an emergency."
EFFECT: Makes mailing materials with the intent to deceive a person into believing the material is an official census communication, interfere with census operations, or discourage census participation an unfair trade practice.
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