READ FIRST TIME 02/03/14.   

     AN ACT Relating to actions for trespass upon a business owner's premises; adding a new section to chapter 4.24 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 4.24 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A business owner has a cause of action for trespass against any person who intentionally enters or remains unlawfully upon the business owner's premises in violation of a written notice, provided by the business owner to the person, notifying the person that: (a) He or she is prohibited from reentering the premises; and (b) any reentry of the person onto the premises in violation of the notice constitutes trespass and is subject to the penalty established in this section.
     (2) In any action under subsection (1) of this section, a business owner may recover actual damages, or elect to recover statutory damages in the amount of two hundred fifty dollars.
     (3) As used in this section, the word "person" does not include an employee or government contractor performing duties pursuant to law on behalf of: (a) Any department, agency, or office of the state; or (b) any political subdivision of the state.