SB 6070 — Supporting the recovery of missing persons.
Last action — By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 13, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.
Odds of enactment
Moderate chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Passed Senate
Current position in the legislative process.
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12 sponsors
1 primary, 11 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (12 D).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 1 recorded vote so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
678 added · 746 removedPlain-language change summary
The updated version of Senate Bill 6070 has removed references to certain sections of code related to the management of public safety and welfare. The key change is that specific references to sections 36.28A.110, 36.28A.112, and 36.28A.120, as well as other amendments, were eliminated. This adjustment simplifies the bill and focuses on specific areas of electronic communications and privacy laws, which could help streamline the legal framework governing these topics. This matter is important because clearer regulations can improve transparency and protect individuals' rights in communications.
S-4059.2S-3582.4 SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6070 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By Senate Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Dhingra, Nobles, Bateman, Kauffman, Liias, Lovelett, Orwall, Saldaña, Slatter, Trudeau, Valdez, and C.
Wilson)Wilson READRead FIRSTfirst TIMEtime 01/23/26.01/13/26.
Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
amending RCW 9.73.260, 10.79.035, 13.60.010, 36.28A.110, 36.28A.112, 36.28A.120, and 74.04.062;13.60.010;
and adding a new section to chapter 10.79 RCW;RCW.
and recodifying RCW 36.28A.110, 36.28A.112, and 36.28A.120.
(b) "Electronic communication" means any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature p.transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic, or photo-optical system, but does not include:
1p. SSB 6070 transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic, or photo-optical system, but does not include:
1 SB 6070 (i) Any wire or oral communication;
or (vi) spoofing or simulating a communications device, cell tower, cell site, or service including, but not limited to, an international mobile subscriber identity catcher or other invasive cell phone or telephone surveillance or eavesdropping device that mimics a cell phone tower and sends out signals to cause cell phones in the area to transmit their locations, identifying information, and communications content, p.or a passive interception device or digital analyzer that does not send signals to a communications device under surveillance.
2A SSBcell 6070p. or a passive interception device or digital analyzer that does not send signals to a communications device under surveillance.
A2 cellSB 6070 site simulator device does not include any device used or installed by an electric utility, as defined in RCW 19.280.020, solely to the extent such device is used by that utility to measure electrical usage, to provide services to customers, or to operate the electric grid.
The application shall be under oath and shall include the identity of the officer making the application and the identity of the law enforcement agency conducting the criminalinvestigation. investigation or fulfilling community caretaking functions.
The applicant must certify that the information likely to be obtained is relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by that agencyagency. or is necessary for law enforcement to fulfill community caretaking functions.
p.(a)(i) In the case of a pen register or trap and trace device, the identity, if known, of the person to whom is leased or in whose name is listed the telephone line to which the pen register or trap and trace device is to be attached;
3 SSB 6070 (a)(i) In the case of a pen register or trapp. and trace device, the identity, if known, of the person to whom is leased or in whose name is listed the telephone line to which the pen register or trap and trace device is to be attached;
or3 SB 6070 (ii) In the case of a cell site simulator device, the identity, if known, of (A) the person to whom is subscribed or in whose name is subscribed the electronic communications service utilized by the device to which the cell site simulator device is to be used and (B) the person who possesses the device to which the cell site simulator device is to be used;
and (d) A statement of the offense or a description of the missing endangered person to which the information likely to be obtained by p.the pen register, trap and trace device, or cell site simulator device relates.
4The SSBorder 6070shall direct, if the penapplicant register,has traprequested, the furnishing of information, facilities, and tracetechnical device,assistance ornecessary cellto siteaccomplish simulatorthe deviceinstallation relates.of the pen register, trap p.
The4 orderSB shall6070 direct, if the applicant has requested, the furnishing of information, facilities, and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the installation of the pen register, trap and trace device, or cell site simulator device.
(5) Upon the presentation of an order, entered under subsection (4) of this section, by an officer of a law enforcement agency authorized to install and use a pen register under this chapter, a provider of wire or electronic communication service, landlord, custodian, or other person shall furnish such law enforcement officer forthwith all information, facilities, and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the installation of the pen register unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with the services p.that the person so ordered by the court accords the party with respect to whom the installation and use is to take place, if such assistance is directed by a court order as provided in subsection (4) of this section.
5p. SSB 6070 that the person so ordered by the court accords the party with respect to whom the installation and use is to take place, if such assistance is directed by a court order as provided in subsection (4) of this section.
5 SB 6070 Upon the request of an officer of a law enforcement agency authorized to receive the results of a trap and trace device under this chapter, a provider of a wire or electronic communication service, landlord, custodian, or other person shall install such device forthwith on the appropriate line and shall furnish such law enforcement officer all additional information, facilities, and technical assistance including installation and operation of the device unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with the services that the person so ordered by the court accords the party with respect to whom the installation and use is to take place, if such installation and assistance is directed by a court order as provided in subsection (4) of this section.
(6)(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a law enforcement officer and a prosecuting attorney or deputy prosecuting attorney who jointly and reasonably determine in an ongoing criminal investigation, or a law enforcement officer who reasonably determines in a missing endangered person case, that there is probable cause to believe that an emergency situation exists that involves immediate danger of death or serious bodily injury to any person that requires the installation and use of a pen register, trap and trace device, or cell site simulator device before an order authorizing such p.
6 SSBSB 6070 believe that an emergency situation exists that involves immediate danger of death or serious bodily injury to any person that requires the installation and use of a pen register, trap and trace device, or cell site simulator device before an order authorizing such installation and use can, with due diligence, be obtained, and there are grounds upon which an order could be entered under this chapter to authorize such installation and use, may have installed and use a pen register, trap and trace device, or cell site simulator device ((if)).
If such an action was taken pursuant to an ongoing criminal investigationinvestigation, or to locate a missing endangered person, law enforcement must obtain, within ((forty-eight)) 48 hours after the installation has occurred, or begins to occur, an order approving the installation or use is issued in accordance with subsection (4) of this section.
If an order approving the installation or use is not obtained within ((forty-eight))((forty- eight)) 48 hours, any information obtained is not admissible as evidence in any legal proceeding.
The report shall indicate the number of authorizations made, the date and time of each authorization, whether p.a court authorization was sought within ((forty-eight)) 48 hours, and whether a subsequent court authorization was granted.
7 SSB 6070 a court authorization was sought within ((forty-eight)) 48 hours, and whether a subsequent court authorization was granted.
(ii) takep. all steps necessary to permanently delete any information or metadata collected from any party not specified in the applicable court order immediately following such collection and must not transmit, use, or retain such information or metadata for any purpose whatsoever;
7 SB 6070 take all steps necessary to permanently delete any information or metadata collected from any party not specified in the applicable court order immediately following such collection and must not transmit, use, or retain such information or metadata for any purpose whatsoever;
(b) The court shall not issue an order for the installation and use of pen registers, trap and trace devices, and cell site simulator devices for the purpose of investigating or recovering evidence that relates to an investigation that alleges criminal liability for the p.provision, receipt, attempted provision or receipt, assistance in the provision or receipt, or attempted assistance in the provision or receipt of protected health care services as defined in RCW 7.115.010 that are lawful in the state of Washington.
8p. SSB 6070 provision, receipt, attempted provision or receipt, assistance in the provision or receipt, or attempted assistance in the provision or receipt of protected health care services as defined in RCW 7.115.010 that are lawful in the state of Washington.
8 SB 6070 Sec.
p.(2) The person has an apparent lack of access to prescribed medications;
9 SSB 6070 (2) The person has an apparent lack of access to prescribed medications;
(4)p. The disappearance involves an unusual and unexplained absence from work, school, or other regularly scheduled activity;
9 SB 6070 (4) The disappearance involves an unusual and unexplained absence from work, school, or other regularly scheduled activity;
The information shall include pictures, bulletins, training sessions, reports, and biographical materials that will assist in local law enforcement efforts to locate missing p.children and endangered persons.
10The SSBstate 6070patrol childrenshall also maintain a regularly updated computerized link with national and endangeredother persons.statewide missing person systems or clearinghouses, and within existing resources, shall develop and implement a plan, commonly known as an "amber alert plan" or an "endangered missing person advisory plan" which includes (("silver alert" and)) "ebony alert," p.
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The10 stateSB patrol6070 shall also maintain a regularly updated computerized link with national and other statewide missing person systems or clearinghouses, and within existing resources, shall develop and implement a plan, commonly known as an "amber alert plan" or an "endangered missing person advisory plan" which includes (("silver alert" and)) "ebony alert," "missing indigenous person alert," "silver alert," and "purple alert" designations for voluntary cooperation between local, state, tribal, and other law enforcement agencies, state government agencies, radio and television stations, cable and satellite systems, and social media pages and sites to enhance the public's ability to assist in recovering abducted children and missing endangered persons consistent with the state endangered missing person advisory plan.
(e) "Missing indigenous person alert" means the designated title of a missing endangered person advisory that will be used on a variable message sign and text of the highway advisory radio message p.when used as part of an activated advisory to assist in the recovery of a missing indigenous person.
11(((d))) SSB(f) 6070"Silver whenalert" usedmeans asthe partdesignated title of ana activatedmissing endangered person advisory tothat assistwill inbe theused recoveryon a variable message sign and text of athe missinghighway indigenousadvisory person.radio message when used p.
(((d)))11 (f)SB "Silver6070 alert" means the designated title of a missing endangered person advisory that will be used on a variable message sign and text of the highway advisory radio message when used as part of an activated advisory to assist in the recovery of a missing endangered person age 60 or older.
(4) License applications under RCW 9.41.070, except that copies of license applications or information on the applications may be released to law enforcement or corrections agencies or to persons and entities as authorized under RCW 9.41.815;
12 SSBSB 6070 (4)(5)(a) LicenseInformation applicationsrevealing underthe RCWspecific 9.41.070,details except that copiesdescribe an alleged or proven child victim of licensesexual applicationsassault or informationcommercial onsexual exploitation under age 18, or the applicationsidentity mayor becontact releasedinformation toof lawan enforcementalleged or correctionsproven agencieschild orvictim toof personssexual andassault entitiesor ascommercial authorizedsexual exploitation who is under RCWage 9.41.815;18.
(5)(a) Information revealing the specific details that describe an alleged or proven child victim of sexual assault or commercial sexual exploitation under age 18, or the identity or contact information of an alleged or proven child victim of sexual assault or commercial sexual exploitation who is under age 18.
p.(12) The following security threat group information collected and maintained by the department of corrections pursuant to RCW 72.09.745:
13 SSB 6070 (12) The following security threat group information collected and maintained by the department of corrections pursuant to RCW 72.09.745:
(b)p. information that reveals specific security threats associated with the operation and activities of security threat groups;
13 SB 6070 (b) information that reveals specific security threats associated with the operation and activities of security threat groups;
If at the p.time of recording the victim or witness indicates a desire for disclosure or nondisclosure of the recorded identity or communications, such desire shall govern;
14 SSB 6070 time of recording the victim or witnessp. indicates a desire for disclosure or nondisclosure of the recorded identity or communications, such desire shall govern;
or14 SB 6070 (vii) The identifiable location information of a community-based domestic violence program as defined in RCW 70.123.020, or emergency shelter as defined in RCW 70.123.020.
The attorney must explain the relevancy of the requested body worn camera recording to p.the cause of action and specify that he or she is seeking relief from redaction costs under this subsection (14)(e).
15p. SSB 6070 the cause of action and specify that he or she is seeking relief from redaction costs under this subsection (14)(e).
15 SB 6070 (ii) A law enforcement or corrections agency responding to requests under this subsection (14)(e) may not require the requesting individual to pay costs of any redacting, altering, distorting, pixelating, suppressing, or otherwise obscuring any portion of a body worn camera recording.
(h) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to restrict access to body worn camera recordings as otherwise permitted by law p.
16 SSBSB 6070 (h) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to restrict access to body worn camera recordings as otherwise permitted by law for official or recognized civilian and accountability bodies or pursuant to any court order.
Failure to disclose an audio or video recording of a child forensic p.interview as defined in chapter 26.44 RCW is not grounds for penalties or other sanctions available under this chapter;
17((and)) SSBp. 6070 interview as defined in chapter 26.44 RCW is not grounds for penalties or other sanctions available under this chapter;
((and))17 SB 6070 (19) Information exempt from public disclosure and copying under RCW 43.10.305(2)(f);
Sec.
6.
RCW 36.28A.110 and 2007 c 10 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
The Washington ((association of sheriffs and police chiefs)) state patrol shall create and maintain a statewide missing persons website, which shall be available to the public.
The website shall post relevant information concerning persons reported missing in the state of Washington.
For missing persons, the website ((shall)) may contain, but is not limited to:
The person's name, physical description, photograph, and other information that is deemed necessary according to the adopted protocols.
This website shall allow citizens to more broadly disseminate information regarding missing persons for at least thirty days.
Sec.
7.
RCW 36.28A.112 and 2020 c 45 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
((When funded)) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this purpose, the Washington ((association of sheriffs and police chiefs)) state patrol must regularly transmit information contained within the statewide missing persons website created pursuant to RCW 36.28A.110 (as recodified by this act) to the national missing and unidentified persons system created by the United States department of justice's national institute of justice.
Sec.
8.
RCW 36.28A.120 and 2007 c 10 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
The Washington state patrol shall establish an interface with local law enforcement and the ((Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs)) statewide missing persons website created p.
18 SSB 6070 pursuant to RCW 36.28A.110 (as recodified by this act), the toll-free twenty-four hour hotline, and national and other statewide missing persons systems or clearinghouses.
Local law enforcement agencies shall file an official missing persons report and enter biographical information into the state missing persons computerized network without delay after notification of a missing person's report is received ((under this chapter)).
Sec.
9.
RCW 74.04.062 and 2024 c 208 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) Upon written request of a person who has been properly identified as an officer of the law or a properly identified United States immigration official the department or authority shall disclose to such officer the current address and location of a recipient of public welfare if the officer furnishes the department or authority with such person's name and social security account number and satisfactorily demonstrates that such recipient is a fugitive, that the location or apprehension of such fugitive is within the officer's official duties, and that the request is made in the proper exercise of those duties.
(b) When the department or authority becomes aware that a public assistance recipient is the subject of an outstanding warrant, the department or authority may contact the appropriate law enforcement agency and, if the warrant is valid, provide the law enforcement agency with the location of the recipient.
(2) To the extent allowed under federal law, upon written request of a law enforcement officer from a state, local, or tribal law enforcement agency, the department or authority shall disclose to such officer whether the recipient has accessed his or her public assistance benefits in the last 30 days for the purpose of assisting the officer in confirming whether the recipient is alive if the recipient is the subject of a missing person's report as described in RCW 36.28A.120 (as recodified by this act).
For purposes of this section, "law enforcement officer" and "law enforcement agency" have the same meaning as defined in RCW 10.122.020.
NEW SECTION.
Sec.
10.
RCW 36.28A.110, 36.28A.112, and 36.28A.120 are each recodified as sections in chapter 43.43 RCW.
1918 SSBSB 6070
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- Bill View text Current pdf
- Substitute Substitute Bill pdf
- Substitute Engrossed Second Substitute Bill pdf
- Substitute Second Substitute Bill pdf
Action History
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By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
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Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
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Referred to Rules 2 Review.
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CS - Majority; do pass.
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Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 4:00 PM.
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Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 1:30 PM.
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First reading, referred to Community Safety.
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Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
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Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
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Floor amendment(s) adopted.
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2nd substitute bill substituted (WM 26).
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Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
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Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
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WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
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Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
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Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
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Referred to Ways & Means.
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And refer to Ways & Means.
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LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
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Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.
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Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 8:00 AM.
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First reading, referred to Law & Justice.
Sponsors
- Claire Wilson · Cosponsor
- Yasmin Trudeau · Cosponsor
- Vandana Slatter · Cosponsor
- Rebecca Saldaña · Cosponsor
- Tina Orwall · Cosponsor
- Liz Lovelett · Cosponsor
- Marko Liias · Cosponsor
- Claudia Kauffman · Cosponsor
- Jessica Bateman · Cosponsor
- T'wina Nobles · Cosponsor
- Manka Dhingra · Primary
- Javier Valdez · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 11 co-sponsors · 139 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Manka Dhingra Democrat
Co-sponsors (11)
- Claire Wilson Democrat
- Yasmin Trudeau Democrat
- Vandana Slatter Democrat
- Rebecca Saldaña Democrat
- Tina Orwall Democrat
- Liz Lovelett Democrat
- Marko Liias Democrat
- Claudia Kauffman Democrat
- Jessica Bateman Democrat
- T'wina Nobles Democrat
- Javier Valdez Democrat
Not signed on (139)
139 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 139 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 49 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (49)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Cortes | Democrat | Yea |
| Annette Cleveland | Democrat | Yea |
| Bob Hasegawa | Democrat | Yea |
| Claire Wilson | Democrat | Yea |
| Claudia Kauffman | Democrat | Yea |
| Deborah Krishnadasan | Democrat | Yea |
| Derek Stanford | Democrat | Yea |
| Drew Hansen | Democrat | Yea |
| Emily Alvarado | Democrat | Yea |
| Jamie Pedersen | Democrat | Yea |
| Javier Valdez | Democrat | Yea |
| Jesse Salomon | Democrat | Yea |
| Jessica Bateman | Democrat | Yea |
| John Lovick | Democrat | Yea |
| June Robinson | Democrat | Yea |
| Lisa Wellman | Democrat | Yea |
| Liz Lovelett | Democrat | Yea |
| Manka Dhingra | Democrat | Yea |
| Marcus Riccelli | Democrat | Yea |
| Marko Liias | Democrat | Yea |
| Mike Chapman | Democrat | Yea |
| Noel Frame | Democrat | Yea |
| Rebecca Saldaña | Democrat | Yea |
| Sharon Shewmake | Democrat | Yea |
| Steve Conway | Democrat | Yea |
| T'wina Nobles | Democrat | Yea |
| Tina Orwall | Democrat | Yea |
| Vandana Slatter | Democrat | Yea |
| Victoria Hunt | Democrat | Yea |
| Yasmin Trudeau | Democrat | Yea |
| Chris Gildon | Republican | Yea |
| Curtis King | Republican | Yea |
| Drew MacEwen | Republican | Yea |
| Jeff Holy | Republican | Yea |
| Jeff Wilson | Republican | Yea |
| Jim McCune | Republican | Yea |
| John Braun | Republican | Yea |
| Judy Warnick | Republican | Yea |
| Keith Goehner | Republican | Yea |
| Keith Wagoner | Republican | Yea |
| Leonard Christian | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Schoesler | Republican | Yea |
| Matt Boehnke | Republican | Yea |
| Nikki Torres | Republican | Yea |
| Paul Harris | Republican | Yea |
| Perry Dozier | Republican | Yea |
| Phil Fortunato | Republican | Yea |
| Ron Muzzall | Republican | Yea |
| Shelly Short | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors SB 6070?
- SB 6070 is sponsored by Claire Wilson (Democrat), Yasmin Trudeau (Democrat), Vandana Slatter (Democrat), Rebecca Saldaña (Democrat), Tina Orwall (Democrat), Liz Lovelett (Democrat), Marko Liias (Democrat), Claudia Kauffman (Democrat), Jessica Bateman (Democrat), T'wina Nobles (Democrat), Manka Dhingra (Democrat), and Javier Valdez (Democrat).
- What is the current status of SB 6070?
- This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 13, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
- Where can I track SB 6070?
- Track SB 6070 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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