CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1713

Chapter 127, Laws of 2019

66TH LEGISLATURE

2019 REGULAR SESSION

MISSING AND MURDERED NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN--LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 28, 2019

SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1713

ByHouse Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Mosbrucker, Gregerson, Caldier, Dye, Barkis, Corry, Sells, Lekanoff, Schmick, Orwall, Chandler, Hudgins, Ryu, Frame, Jinkins, Ortiz-Self, Peterson, Stanford, Van Werven, Tarleton, Valdez, Macri, Pollet, and Leavitt)

AN ACT Relating to improving law enforcement response to missing and murdered Native American women; adding new sections to chapter 43.43 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

The legislature further finds that although violence against Native American women has been a neglected issue in society, there is a growing awareness of this crisis, as well as a recognition that the criminal justice system needs to better serve and protect Native American women. The legislature intends to find ways to connect state, tribal, and federal resources to create partnerships to find ways to solve this crisis facing Native American women in our state, while being mindful to include voices from both tribal and urban communities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.43 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Two liaison positions for missing and murdered indigenous women and other missing and murdered indigenous persons are established in the Washington state patrol. One liaison must reside in western Washington, and one liaison must reside in eastern Washington. The liaisons shall work to build relationships to increase trust between governmental organizations and native communities. The liaisons shall facilitate communications among:

(a) Indian tribes and tribal organizations and communities;

(b) Urban Indian organizations and communities;

(c) Tribal liaisons in other state agencies;

(d) Law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, local, and tribal level; and

(e) Nongovernmental entities that provide services to Native American women.

(2) The salary for the liaison positions is fixed by the Washington state patrol.

(3) To be eligible for hire as a liaison, an applicant must have significant experience living in tribal or urban indigenous communities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.43 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The Washington state patrol must develop a best practices protocol for law enforcement response to missing persons reports for indigenous women and other indigenous persons. The protocol must include steps that law enforcement should take upon receiving a missing persons report for an indigenous woman or other indigenous person.

(2) The governor's office of Indian affairs must provide the Washington state patrol with government-to-government training, and must work with the Washington state patrol to schedule and facilitate the training.

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