Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the state from contracting with private for-profit prisons or detention facilities.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any person, business, or state or local governmental entity from operating a private detention facility within the state or utilizing a contract with a private detention facility within the state. (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits state or local governmental entities from utilizing a contract with a private detention facility outside of Washington state (Sec. 3).

• Permits private detention facilities that signed contracts prior to January 1 2021 to continue operating until the expiration of their contract (Sec. 3).

• Provides exemptions to involuntary detention if the detention is taking place at (Sec. 3): 

• A facility providing rehabilitative, counseling, treatment, mental health, educational, or medical services to juveniles;

•  A facility providing evaluation and treatment or forensic services to a person who has been civilly detained or is subject to an order of commitment by a court;

• A facility used for the quarantine or isolation of persons for public health reasons;

• A facility used for work release; 

• A facility used for extraordinary medical placement;

• A facility used for residential substance use disorder treatment;

• A facility used to house persons; or

• A facility owned and operated by federally recognized tribes and contracting with a government.

Full Bill Text