Wash. Rev. Code » Title 10 · Chapter 10.79
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 10.79.070 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 10.79.060 through 10.79.110.
(1) "Strip search" means having a person remove or arrange some or all of his or her clothing so as to permit an inspection of the genitals, buttocks, anus, or undergarments of the person or breasts of a female person.
(2) "Body cavity search" means the touching or probing of a person's body cavity, whether or not there is actual penetration of the body cavity.
(3) "Body cavity" means the stomach or rectum of a person and the vagina of a female person.
(4) "Law enforcement agency" and "law enforcement officer" include local departments of corrections created pursuant to *RCW 70.48.090(3) and employees thereof.
[ 1983 1st ex.s. c 42 s 2.]

Notes:

*Reviser's note: RCW 70.48.090 was amended by 2007 c 13 s 1, changing subsection (3) to subsection (4).
Effective date—Severability—1983 1st ex.s. c 42: See notes following RCW 10.79.060.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1991–2025 · leading case: State v. Jones, 887 P.2d 461 (Wash. Ct. App. 1995).
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State v. Jones, 887 P.2d 461 (Wash. Ct. App. 1995). · cites it 8× “The court ruled that the search was a strip search, properly conducted pursuant to RCW 10.79.070, rather than a body cavity search.”
York v. Wahkiakum Sch. Dist. No. 200, 178 P.3d 995 (Wash. 2008). “"(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the scope of the search is proper if the search is conducted as follows: "(a) The methods used are reasonably related to the objectives of the search; and "(b) Is not excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of…”
York v. Wahkiakum Sch. Dist. No. 200, 163 Wash. 2d 297 (Wash. 2008). ““(3) A principal or vice principal or anyone acting under their direction may not subject a student to a strip search or body cavity search as those terms are defined in RCW 10.79.070.” RCW 28A.600.230. See Nat’l Inst.”
State v. Hampton, 60 P.3d 95 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 4× “To conduct a "strip search" is to remove or arrange some or all of a person's clothing so as to permit an inspection of the person's genitals, buttocks, anus, or undergarments, or of a female person's breasts.”
Redding v. Safford Unified Sch. Dist. No. 1, 531 F.3d 1071 (9th Cir. 2008). “1 ; Wash. Rev. Code § 10.79.070 . The Fourth Circuit has recognized that this definition of a strip search is “uniform” throughout the Union.”
Brown v. Short, 729 F. Supp. 2d 125 (D.D.C. 2010). “1(F) (West 2009); Wash. Rev.Code Ann. § 10.79.070(1) (West 2009); Wis.”
State v. Colin, 809 P.2d 228 (Wash. Ct. App. 1991). “RCW 10.79.070(1) defines the term "strip search" as *115 "having a person remove or arrange some or all of his or her clothing so as to permit an inspection of the genitals, buttocks, anus, or undergarments of the person or breasts of a female person.”
State v. Hampton, 60 P.3d 95 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 3× “To conduct a “strip search” is to remove or arrange some or all of a person’s clothing so as to permit an inspection of the person’s genitals, buttocks, anus, or undergarments, or of a female person’s breasts.”
State v. RULAN C., 970 P.2d 821 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “RCW 10.79.070 defines “strip search” as “having a person remove or arrange some or all of his or her clothing so as to permit an inspection of the genitals, buttocks, anus, or undergarments of the person or breasts of a female person.”
State of Washington v. Rico Odell Davis (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 3× “RCW 10.79.070(1). Strip searches can only occur when reasonable suspicion exists or when a person has been arrested for specified categories of offenses.”
Young v. Pena (W.D. Wash. 2019). · cites it 2× “” Specifically, RCW 10.79.070(1) defines “strip search” as “having a person remove or 15 arrange some or all of his or her clothing so as to permit an inspection of the genitals, buttocks, 16 anus, or undergarments of the person or breasts of a female person.”
M.K. v. The City of New York (E.D.N.Y 2025). “1 ; Wash. Rev. Code § 10.79.070 . 7 searches of students are all governed by the same two-step standard set out in T.”
Show all 13 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.79.070(1) — 7 cases
State v. Jones, 887 P.2d 461 (Wash. Ct. App. 1995). “The court ruled that the search was a strip search, properly conducted pursuant to RCW 10.79.070, rather than a body cavity search.”
State v. Hampton, 60 P.3d 95 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). “To conduct a "strip search" is to remove or arrange some or all of a person's clothing so as to permit an inspection of the person's genitals, buttocks, anus, or undergarments, or of a female person's breasts.”
Brown v. Short, 729 F. Supp. 2d 125 (D.D.C. 2010). “1(F) (West 2009); Wash. Rev.Code Ann. § 10.79.070(1) (West 2009); Wis.”
State v. Colin, 809 P.2d 228 (Wash. Ct. App. 1991). “RCW 10.79.070(1) defines the term "strip search" as *115 "having a person remove or arrange some or all of his or her clothing so as to permit an inspection of the genitals, buttocks, anus, or undergarments of the person or breasts of a female person.”
State v. Hampton, 60 P.3d 95 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). “To conduct a “strip search” is to remove or arrange some or all of a person’s clothing so as to permit an inspection of the person’s genitals, buttocks, anus, or undergarments, or of a female person’s breasts.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.79.070(2) — 4 cases
State v. Jones, 887 P.2d 461 (Wash. Ct. App. 1995). “The court ruled that the search was a strip search, properly conducted pursuant to RCW 10.79.070, rather than a body cavity search.”
State v. Hampton, 60 P.3d 95 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). “To conduct a "strip search" is to remove or arrange some or all of a person's clothing so as to permit an inspection of the person's genitals, buttocks, anus, or undergarments, or of a female person's breasts.”
State v. Hampton, 60 P.3d 95 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). “To conduct a “strip search” is to remove or arrange some or all of a person’s clothing so as to permit an inspection of the person’s genitals, buttocks, anus, or undergarments, or of a female person’s breasts.”
State of Washington v. Rico Odell Davis (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). “RCW 10.79.070(1). Strip searches can only occur when reasonable suspicion exists or when a person has been arrested for specified categories of offenses.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.79.070(3) — 2 cases
State v. Jones, 887 P.2d 461 (Wash. Ct. App. 1995). “The court ruled that the search was a strip search, properly conducted pursuant to RCW 10.79.070, rather than a body cavity search.”
State of Washington v. Rico Odell Davis (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). “RCW 10.79.070(1). Strip searches can only occur when reasonable suspicion exists or when a person has been arrested for specified categories of offenses.”
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