Wash. Rev. Code » Title 10 · Chapter 10.97
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 10.97.050 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6011.SL) ***
(1) Conviction records may be disseminated without restriction.
(2) Any criminal history record information which pertains to an incident that occurred within the last twelve months for which a person is currently being processed by the criminal justice system, including the entire period of correctional supervision extending through final discharge from parole, when applicable, may be disseminated without restriction.
(3) Criminal history record information which includes nonconviction data may be disseminated by a criminal justice agency to another criminal justice agency for any purpose associated with the administration of criminal justice, or in connection with the employment of the subject of the record by a criminal justice or juvenile justice agency, except as provided under RCW 13.50.260. A criminal justice agency may respond to any inquiry from another criminal justice agency without any obligation to ascertain the purpose for which the information is to be used by the agency making the inquiry.
(4) Criminal history record information which includes nonconviction data may be disseminated by a criminal justice agency to implement a statute, ordinance, executive order, or a court rule, decision, or order which expressly refers to records of arrest, charges, or allegations of criminal conduct or other nonconviction data and authorizes or directs that it be available or accessible for a specific purpose.
(5) Criminal history record information which includes nonconviction data may be disseminated to individuals and agencies pursuant to a contract with a criminal justice agency to provide services related to the administration of criminal justice. Such contract must specifically authorize access to criminal history record information, but need not specifically state that access to nonconviction data is included. The agreement must limit the use of the criminal history record information to stated purposes and insure the confidentiality and security of the information consistent with state law and any applicable federal statutes and regulations.
(6) Criminal history record information which includes nonconviction data may be disseminated to individuals and agencies for the express purpose of research, evaluative, or statistical activities pursuant to an agreement with a criminal justice agency. Such agreement must authorize the access to nonconviction data, limit the use of that information which identifies specific individuals to research, evaluative, or statistical purposes, and contain provisions giving notice to the person or organization to which the records are disseminated that the use of information obtained therefrom and further dissemination of such information are subject to the provisions of this chapter and applicable federal statutes and regulations, which shall be cited with express reference to the penalties provided for a violation thereof.
(7) Criminal history record information that includes nonconviction data may be disseminated to the state auditor solely for the express purpose of conducting a process compliance audit procedure and review of any deadly force investigation pursuant to RCW 43.101.460. Dissemination or use of nonconviction data for purposes other than authorized in this subsection is prohibited.
(8) Criminal history record information that includes nonconviction data may be disseminated to bailiffs of the supreme court solely for the express purpose of investigations under RCW 2.04.260. Dissemination or use of nonconviction data for purposes other than authorized in this subsection is prohibited.
(9) Every criminal justice agency that maintains and disseminates criminal history record information must maintain information pertaining to every dissemination of criminal history record information except a dissemination to the effect that the agency has no record concerning an individual. Information pertaining to disseminations shall include:
(a) An indication of to whom (agency or person) criminal history record information was disseminated;
(b) The date on which the information was disseminated;
(c) The individual to whom the information relates; and
(d) A brief description of the information disseminated.
The information pertaining to dissemination required to be maintained shall be retained for a period of not less than one year.
(10) In addition to the other provisions in this section allowing dissemination of criminal history record information, RCW 4.24.550 governs dissemination of information concerning offenders who commit sex offenses as defined by RCW 9.94A.030. Criminal justice agencies, their employees, and officials shall be immune from civil liability for dissemination on criminal history record information concerning sex offenders as provided in RCW 4.24.550.
[ 2024 c 303 s 2; 2023 c 26 s 1; 2020 c 184 s 2; 2012 c 125 s 2; 2005 c 421 s 9; 1990 c 3 s 129; 1977 ex.s. c 314 s 5.]

Notes:

Retroactive application—Effective date—2020 c 184: See notes following RCW 13.50.260.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1994–2025 · leading case: State v. Ward, 870 P.2d 295 (Wash. 1994).
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State v. Ward, 870 P.2d 295 (Wash. 1994). · cites it 6× “[6] Because the criminal records privacy act, and RCW 10.97.050 in particular, took effect on June 21, 1977, it presents no ex post facto considerations here.”
John Doe G v. Dep't of Corr., 410 P.3d 1156 (Wash. 2018). · cites it 2× “" RCW 10.97.050. While Washington courts have allowed pseudonymous litigation, in some circumstances this court has still required a showing that pseudonymity was necessary.”
State v. Breazeale, 31 P.3d 1155 (Wash. 2001). “030(3) provides: "`[c]onviction record' means criminal history record information relating to an incident which has led to a conviction or other disposition adverse to the subject.”
In Re Meyer, 16 P.3d 563 (Wash. 2001). “RCW 10.97.050(1); Ward, 123 Wash.2d at 502 , 869 P.”
In re the Pers. Restraint of Meyer, 142 Wash. 2d 608 (Wash. 2001). “RCW 10.97.050(1); Ward, 123 Wn.2d at 502 .”
Bini v. City of Vancouver, 218 F. Supp. 3d 1196 (W.D. Wash. 2016). “070(1) or some provision of RCW 10.97.050. Instead, Defendants argue that under RCW 10.”
James v. Adams v. Washington State Dept Of Corr., 361 P.3d 749 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “070(1), quoting in part from each, and also stated that “[n] on-conviction criminal history information is for law enforcement use only, and restricted from dissemination under provisions of RCW 10.97.050 and 28 USC § 534 and 28 CFR Part 20.”
Koenig v. Thurston Cnty., 229 P.3d 910 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 3× “RCW 10.97.050; RCW 9A.44.130. The information revealed as a consequence does not compare, however, to the information contained in a SSOSA evaluation.”
Koenig v. Thurston Cnty., 155 Wash. App. 398 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 3× “RCW 10.97.050; RCW 9A.44.130. The information revealed as a consequence does not compare, however, to the information contained in a SSOSA evaluation.”
Detective Michael, Ames v. Pierce Cnty., 357 P.3d 80 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “240 and RCW 10.97.050.” CP at 201. ¶8 During his discovery deposition on February 14,2013, Ames learned for the first time that the County never disclosed his e-mail exchange with prosecutors to Dalsing’s criminal defense counsel.”
Doe P v. Thurston Cnty., 199 Wash. App. 280 (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “¶53 Conviction records, which “may be disseminated without restriction,” RCW 10.97.050(1), are a type of “criminal history record information relating to an incident which has led to a conviction or other disposition adverse to the subject.”
Doe v. Gregoire, 960 F. Supp. 1478 (W.D. Wash. 1997). “” RCW 10.97.050(1). “Conviction records” included information on charges, convictions, and sentences and “information contained in records maintained by or obtained from criminal justice agencies, other than courts, which records provide individual identification of a person…”
Show all 17 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.97.050(1) — 10 cases
State v. Ward, 870 P.2d 295 (Wash. 1994). “[6] Because the criminal records privacy act, and RCW 10.97.050 in particular, took effect on June 21, 1977, it presents no ex post facto considerations here.”
State v. Breazeale, 31 P.3d 1155 (Wash. 2001). “030(3) provides: "`[c]onviction record' means criminal history record information relating to an incident which has led to a conviction or other disposition adverse to the subject.”
In Re Meyer, 16 P.3d 563 (Wash. 2001). “RCW 10.97.050(1); Ward, 123 Wash.2d at 502 , 869 P.”
In re the Pers. Restraint of Meyer, 142 Wash. 2d 608 (Wash. 2001). “RCW 10.97.050(1); Ward, 123 Wn.2d at 502 .”
Doe P v. Thurston Cnty., 199 Wash. App. 280 (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “¶53 Conviction records, which “may be disseminated without restriction,” RCW 10.97.050(1), are a type of “criminal history record information relating to an incident which has led to a conviction or other disposition adverse to the subject.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.97.050(7) — 1 case
State v. Ward, 870 P.2d 295 (Wash. 1994). “[6] Because the criminal records privacy act, and RCW 10.97.050 in particular, took effect on June 21, 1977, it presents no ex post facto considerations here.”
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