House Considers Bill to Revise Police Use of Force and Pursuit Reforms

Concerning: An act relating to the standard for law enforcement authority to detain or pursue persons. Engrossed Substitute Bill (pdf)
Sponsors: Van De Wege, Mullet, Conway, Gildon, Honeyford, Lovick, Randall, Salomon, Wagoner
Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Status: Jan 20 First reading, referred to Law & Justice.
Feb 9 1st substitute bill not substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 31; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 0. (View Roll Calls Below)

Moves to the House

Committee Materials

Original Bill
Substitute Bill
Engrossed Bill
Senate Bill Report (Orig.)
Senate Bill Report
Engrossed Senate Bill Report
Engrossed House Bill Analysis 2022

The bill analysis and bill report are prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Senate Engrossed Bill Report Brief Summary

• Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill
• Adds definitions related to the use of physical force.
• Amends when a peace officer may use physical force.
• Amends the standard for reasonable care.
• Amends when a peace officer may engage in a vehicular pursuit.

House Engrossed Bill Report Brief Summary

• Modifies the standard for use of physical force by peace officers by defining “physical force,” authorizing peace officers to use physical force to effect investigative detentions in certain circumstances, and modifying the requirement to exercise reasonable care with respect to the
  amount of physical force permitted under the circumstances.
• Modifies the restrictions on vehicular pursuits by allowing pursuits when there is reasonable suspicion that a person has committed or is committing a criminal offense, the person poses a public safety risk, and the safety risks of failing to apprehend or identify the person are considered to be greater than the safety risks of the vehicular pursuit under the circumstances, subject to additional safety and supervisory requirements.

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Unless otherwise noted, the above information was obtained from the official Washington State Legislative website. Future meetings are subject to change. Auburn representatives in bold.