OLYMPIA — Three bills sponsored by Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) were signed into law Tuesday.
Senate Bill 5355 improves safety on college campuses and increases support for survivors of sexual assault. Beginning in the 2027 fall academic term, student identification cards at public colleges and universities must include the hotline for a regional organization providing 24/7 support for survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sex- and gender-based violence.
The bill also prohibits public colleges and universities from proposing, requesting, or pressuring students to enter into a nondisclosure agreement relating to a sexual misconduct report under Title IX. Additionally, the bill requires survivors to be provided written policies about sexual assault kit collection and preservation. It also ensures survivors can request in writing for the Washington State Patrol to preserve their kits and notify them if destroyed or disposed.
“Sexual assault is a harrowing and life-changing experience, and I admire the courage and tireless advocacy of the survivors fighting to make our college campuses safer.” Orwall said. “While we have much work to do to prevent campus sexual assault, this bill takes important steps to ensure survivors can access help and resources quickly, report misconduct without fear of being silenced, and understand their rights when it comes to collecting and preserving sexual assault kits.”
Expanding training for Title IX investigators, police officers
Sens. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) and Vandana Slatter (D-Bellevue) during the bill signing for Senate Bill 5356, which requires Title IX investigators at colleges and universities to receive training from the Criminal Justice Training Commission on investigating sexual assault and gender-based violence.
SB 5356 requires Title IX investigators at colleges and universities to receive training from the Criminal Justice Training Commission on investigating sexual assault and gender-based violence.
Sexual assault is pervasive on college campuses — 25% of undergraduate women and 13% of all students experience sexual assault or rape during their postsecondary education. With survivors facing higher dropout rates than other students, robust training for Title IX investigators helps ensure survivors receive the support needed to keep them in school.
“A strong, responsive Title IX process is critical for keeping survivors in school as they seek justice and healing,” Orwall said. “I’m thankful for the work Title IX investigators do, and with this additional training, they’ll be able to better support survivors on our campuses.”
The bill also clarifies that police officers working on patrol must receive training every three years on responding to calls involving sexual violence and interacting with survivors. Research has found sexual assault police training programs consistently improve officers’ attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors when handling such cases.
Modernizing the child fatality statute
Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) and guests during the bill signing for Senate Bill 5163, which modernizes the child fatality statute.
SB 5163 modernizes the child fatality statute by expanding the types of records local health departments may request and receive as part of their reviews of child deaths. These cases are reviewed to identify preventable causes of child fatalities in Washington, but current law leaves out critical records that could reveal information about a child’s death.
Under the bill, local health department teams reviewing child fatality cases must receive records when requested, including medical records, autopsy and coroner reports, school and social services records, and more. These records are not subject to public disclosure or court proceedings, and local health departments may retain identifiable and geographic information on each case to determine fatality trends.
In addition to making more records available, the bill raises the age of children included in the reviews to 19 to ensure cases involving 18-year-old children are reviewed. The bill also lets people who review child fatality cases to report any current, unresolved concerns about child abuse or neglect they identify in their work.
“Child fatality reviews are incredibly tragic and difficult for everyone involved but critical for helping us understand how to prevent fatalities and mistreatment. This bill ensures review teams will have the necessary records to comprehensively evaluate each case and identify trends to help keep Washington’s children safe,” Orwall said. “These necessary changes would not have been possible without the careful recommendations from the workgroup led by former Sen. Karen Keiser.”
The new laws go into effect July 27.
