WashingtonWashington protects records of changes to a person's listed sex
Washington's licensing agency needs consent for a specific purpose to share changes to someone's listed sex, while state health officials seal supporting documents.
What it does
Washington's licensing agency cannot share records of changes to someone's listed sex without consent for a specific purpose. Documents issued following a change must show only the current sex and no change history.
State health officials must seal documents supporting changes to someone's listed sex on vital records. Information collected from people requesting these changes is also protected from public records requests.
Vital records held by the state health department are protected from subpoenas and other legal demands that force disclosure. Official copies and other releases allowed by vital-records law remain exceptions.
State health officials may refuse requests for vital-record data or certified birth records for agencies or courts when release could cause harm or conflict with the public interest.
Argument forRequiring consent before sharing changes to someone's listed sex could prevent unwanted disclosure of private history when agencies exchange driving records.
Argument againstBroad reasons for refusing record requests could make it harder for agencies or researchers to get information for legitimate work.
More detail
Washington's licensing agency cannot display or share records of changes to a person's listed sex without that person's consent. The rule covers records and supporting documents about changes to a person's listed sex. The person's consent must be for a specific purpose. Driving records sent to other jurisdictions must exclude records and supporting documents about these changes unless the person gives that consent. These requirements took effect March 16, 2026. Identity documents and digital records issued after a change must show only the current sex, with no sign that a change occurred.
State health officials must seal documents supporting changes to a person's listed sex on vital records. Vital records are official records of events such as births, deaths, and marriages. State archives cannot disclose supporting documents transferred there to anyone except the state health department. Information collected from people who requested changes to their listed sex is exempt from public inspection and copying. These requirements took effect March 16, 2026.
Vital records and related information held by the state health department are confidential and protected from forced disclosure in legal proceedings. The protection covers vital records, reports, supporting documents, statistics, and related information maintained by the state health department. Exceptions apply to official certified copies, informational copies, and other releases authorized by the state's vital-records law. This protection took effect March 16, 2026.
State health officials may refuse certain vital-record requests when release could harm the person named or conflict with the public interest. These grounds cover vital-record data requests and requests by government agencies or courts for certified birth records for their official duties. Officials may refuse when release could reasonably cause or enable harm, interfere with voting rights, affect the person unequally, or otherwise conflict with the public interest. For data requests, officials must explain a denial, and requesters may appeal. These provisions took effect March 16, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 16Effective date 3/16/2026.Latest
- Mar 16Chapter 56, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 16Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 10Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 5Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 4President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 3Third reading, passed; yeas, 57; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 5.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#27). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 2Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 25Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 24Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 24SGOV - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 24Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 20Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 14First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.Minor
- Feb 11Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#38). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 11Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 111st substitute bill substituted (TRAN 26).Major
- Feb 10Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 6Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 5Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 5Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 5TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 5Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 3Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 26Referred to Transportation.Minor
- Jan 23Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Jan 23Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Jan 23And refer to Transportation.Minor
- Jan 23SGTE - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Jan 23Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 20Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 13First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.Introduced
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