Legislator facility access

AN ACT Relating to providing access for legislators to facilities 1
owned and operated by the state and facilities that contract with or 2
are licensed by state agencies; and adding a new section to chapter 3
72.01 RCW. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 72.01 6
RCW to read as follows: 7
(1) Access to state owned, operated, licensed, and contracted 8
facilities by members of the Washington legislature aids members in 9
the effective exercise of their legislative functions and roles. The 10
legislature recognizes that access to secure facilities, including 11
those requesting to meet with incarcerated individuals, can require 12
advance planning to ensure safety and minimize potential impacts on 13
facility operations. 14
(2) Upon receiving a written request from a currently elected 15
member or appointed member of the Washington legislature to visit a 16
covered facility, the department of corrections, the department of 17
children, youth, and families, or the department of social and health 18
services shall facilitate the visit on the day requested by the 19
member or as soon as practicable, but no later than within 10 20
business days of receiving the written request. If an agency denies a 21
H-2741.1
HOUSE BILL 2280
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Representatives Penner, Simmons, Zahn, and Graham
Prefiled 01/06/26. Read first time 01/12/26. Referred to Committee
on State Government & Tribal Relations.
p. 1 HB 2280
legislator access to a facility because of a safety concern or 1
emergency, the agency shall submit a written report to the speaker of 2
the house, the president of the senate, the leaders of the two 3
largest political caucuses in the senate and house of 4
representatives, and the office of the legislator who requested 5
access to the facility that details the reason for the denial. An 6
agency may not deny a legislator access to a facility by reason of a 7
staffing shortage, tour guide availability, or administrative 8
inconvenience. 9
(3) Access includes a tour of the facility or the ability to meet 10
with a constituent residing in the facility. Access to family events 11
at the facility are managed on a case-by-case basis with priority 12
attendance given to family members of individuals who reside at the 13
facility. 14
(4) All visitors to a facility must adhere to safety and security 15
protocols outlined by department policy and staff prior to and during 16
the visit. 17
(5) For the purposes of this section, a "covered facility" is a 18
facility that is owned or operated by the department of corrections, 19
the department of children, youth, and families, or the department of 20
social and health services. The following facilities are also covered 21
facilities: 22
(a) Adult family homes licensed under chapter 70.128 RCW;23
(b) Assisted living facilities licensed under chapter 18.20 RCW;24
(c) Community facilities as defined in RCW 72.05.020;25
(d) Group training homes certified under chapter 71A.22 RCW;26
(e) Facilities and homes contracted with the department of social 27
and health services development disabilities administration to 28
provide residential services under chapter 71A.12 RCW;29
(f) Facilities that provide supported living as defined in RCW 30
71A.10.020; and 31
(g) State-operated living alternatives as defined in RCW 32
71A.10.020. 33
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p. 2 HB 2280