Religious foods/correctional

AN ACT Relating to accommodating religious foods in state 1
correctional facilities; adding a new section to chapter 72.09 RCW; 2
and creating a new section. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes the 5
constitutionally protected rights of incarcerated persons to believe, 6
express, and exercise the religion of their choice. The legislature 7
further recognizes the positive benefit of religious practice in the 8
form of positive behavior in institutions and in the community. The 9
legislature intends to affirm and support religious practices for 10
faith and cultural groups by providing opportunities to celebrate 11
practices and events. The legislature therefore resolves to codify 12
the opportunity for religious diets in state correctional facilities.13
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 72.09 14
RCW to read as follows: 15
(1) The department shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate 16
religious diets in state correctional facilities based on the request 17
of the incarcerated individual. 18
(2) Reasonable efforts under this section include but are not 19
limited to coordination and arrangements with a partnering nonprofit 20
S-0451.2
SENATE BILL 5131
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators C. Wilson, Chapman, Dhingra, Frame, Hasegawa, Nobles,
Orwall, Saldaña, Stanford, and Wellman
Prefiled 01/03/25. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee
on Human Services.
p. 1 SB 5131
organization in the provision and delivery of a religious diet, 1
including special menu items, meal enhancements, and donated foods. 2
The department may establish reasonable deadlines for sponsorship and 3
contribution of special menu items including special menu items, meal 4
enhancements, and donated foods, but no deadline may exceed 30 days 5
in advance of a religious event. 6
(3) Provision of a religious diet must be made at no cost to the 7
incarcerated person. 8
(4) If a therapeutic diet is recommended for the incarcerated 9
individual, the department shall provide a therapeutic diet that also 10
accommodates the religious diet requested by the incarcerated 11
individual. 12
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p. 2 SB 5131