Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230 (2026)

Personal information

✓ current as of May 2026

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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6106.SL) ***

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6081-S.SL) ***

The following personal information is exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter:

(1) Personal information in any files maintained for students in public schools, patients or clients of public institutions or public health agencies, or welfare recipients;

(2)(a) Personal information:

(i) For a child enrolled in licensed child care in any files maintained by the department of children, youth, and families;

(ii) For a child enrolled in a public or nonprofit program serving or pertaining to children, adolescents, or students, including but not limited to early learning or child care services, parks and recreation programs, youth development programs, and after-school programs;

(iii) For a student enrolled or previously enrolled in a local education agency, in any records pertaining to the student, including correspondence;

(iv) For the family members or guardians of a child who is subject to the exemption under this subsection (2) if the family member or guardian has the same last name as the child or if the family member or guardian resides at the same address as the child and disclosure of the family member's or guardian's information would result in disclosure of the personal information exempted under (a)(i) through (iii) of this subsection; or

(v) For substitute caregivers who are licensed or approved to provide overnight care of children by the department of children, youth, and families.

(b) Emergency contact information under this subsection (2) may be provided to appropriate authorities and medical personnel for the purpose of treating the individual during an emergency situation;

(3) Personal information in files maintained for employees, appointees, or elected officials of any public agency to the extent that disclosure would violate their right to privacy;

(4) Information required of any taxpayer in connection with the assessment or collection of any tax if the disclosure of the information to other persons would: (a) Be prohibited to such persons by RCW 84.08.210, 82.32.330, 84.40.020, 84.40.340, or any ordinance authorized under RCW 35.102.145; or (b) violate the taxpayer's right to privacy or result in unfair competitive disadvantage to the taxpayer;

(5) Credit card numbers, debit card numbers, electronic check numbers, card expiration dates, or bank or other financial information as defined in RCW 9.35.005 including social security numbers, except when disclosure is expressly required by or governed by other law;

(6) Personal and financial information related to a small loan or any system of authorizing a small loan in RCW 31.45.093;

(7)(a) Any record used to prove identity, age, residential address, social security number, or other personal information required to apply for a driver's license or identicard.

(b) Information provided under RCW 46.20.111 that indicates that an applicant declined to register with the selective service system.

(c) Any record pertaining to a vehicle license plate, driver's license, or identicard issued under RCW 46.08.066 that, alone or in combination with any other records, may reveal the identity of an individual, or reveal that an individual is or was, performing an undercover or covert law enforcement, confidential public health work, public assistance fraud, or child support investigative activity. This exemption does not prevent the release of the total number of vehicle license plates, drivers' licenses, or identicards that, under RCW 46.08.066, an agency or department has applied for, been issued, denied, returned, destroyed, lost, and reported for misuse.

(d) Any record pertaining to a vessel registration issued under RCW 88.02.330 that, alone or in combination with any other records, may reveal the identity of an individual, or reveal that an individual is or was, performing an undercover or covert law enforcement activity. This exemption does not prevent the release of the total number of vessel registrations that, under RCW 88.02.330, an agency or department has applied for, been issued, denied, returned, destroyed, lost, and reported for misuse.

Upon request by the legislature, the department of licensing shall provide a report to the legislature containing all of the information in (c) of this subsection (7) and this subsection (7)(d) that is subject to public disclosure;

(8) All information related to individual claim resolution settlement agreements submitted to the board of industrial insurance appeals under RCW 51.04.063, other than final orders from the board of industrial insurance appeals. The board of industrial insurance appeals shall provide to the department of labor and industries copies of all final claim resolution settlement agreements;

(9) Voluntarily submitted information contained in a database that is part of or associated with 911 emergency communications systems, or information contained or used in emergency notification systems as provided under RCW 38.52.575 and 38.52.577;

(10) Information relating to a future voter, as provided in RCW 29A.08.725;

(11) All information submitted by a person to the state, either directly or through a state-licensed gambling establishment, or Indian tribes, or tribal enterprises that own gambling operations or facilities with class III gaming compacts, as part of the self-exclusion program established in RCW 9.46.071 or 67.70.040 for people with a gambling problem or gambling disorder;

(12) Names, addresses, or other personal information of individuals who participated in the bump-fire stock buy-back program under former RCW 43.43.920; and

(13) All personal and financial information concerning a player that is received or maintained by the state lottery or any contracted lottery vendor except the player's name and city or town of residence. Additional information may be released only in accordance with prior written permission from the player.

[ 2023 c 361 s 14; 2023 c 346 s 1; 2023 c 182 s 2; 2021 c 89 s 1. Prior: 2019 c 470 s 8; 2019 c 239 s 2; (2019 c 239 s 1 expired July 1, 2019); 2019 c 213 s 2; 2018 c 109 s 16; 2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 s 222; prior: 2015 c 224 s 2; 2015 c 47 s 1; 2014 c 142 s 1; prior: 2013 c 336 s 3; 2013 c 220 s 1; prior: 2011 c 350 s 2; 2011 c 173 s 1; 2010 c 106 s 102; 2009 c 510 s 8; 2008 c 200 s 5; 2005 c 274 s 403.]

Notes:

Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2023 c 182 s 2, 2023 c 346 s 1, and by 2023 c 361 s 14, without reference to one another. All amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Findings—Intent—2023 c 182: "The legislature recognizes the important public interest in maintaining an open and transparent government and the critically important role that our public records act plays in ensuring the people of Washington have access to public records maintained by state and local agencies with narrow exemptions. The legislature recognizes that protecting the personal information of our minor students is also of critical importance, especially when disclosure of that personal information could potentially jeopardize the physical or mental health and safety of a student. While current state law also acknowledges the importance of protecting a student's privacy by providing an exemption for personal information in records maintained on a student's behalf, the legislature notes that there have been instances where information has been released from records held by schools that contains personal information about a student or related to a student and the release allows the student to be identified. The legislature intends to provide additional clarity in this narrow situation involving the disclosure of personal information related to a student that may be found in a nonstudent record. This clarity is intended to ensure school districts understand that they have the ability to protect a student's privacy and redact personal information related to a student regardless of the type of record that the information is found in." [ 2023 c 182 s 1.]

Effective date—2021 c 89: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [April 16, 2021]." [ 2021 c 89 s 7.]

Expiration date—Effective date—2019 c 239 ss 1 and 2: "(1) Section 1 of this act expires July 1, 2019.

(2) Section 2 of this act takes effect July 1, 2019." [ 2019 c 239 s 4.]

Effective date—2019 c 239: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [April 30, 2019]." [ 2019 c 239 s 5.]

Application—2019 c 239: "The exemptions in this act apply to any public records requests made prior to April 30, 2019, for which the disclosure of records has not already occurred." [ 2019 c 239 s 3.]

Findings—Intent—Effective date—2018 c 109: See notes following RCW 29A.08.170.

Effective date—2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 ss 102, 104-115, 201-227, 301-337, 401-419, 501-513, 801-803, and 805-822: See note following RCW 43.216.025.

Conflict with federal requirements—2017 3rd sp.s. c 6: See RCW 43.216.908.

Effective date—2013 c 336: See note following RCW 46.08.066.

Effective date—2011 c 350: See note following RCW 46.20.111.

Effective date—2010 c 106: See note following RCW 35.102.145.

Effective date—2009 c 510: See RCW 31.45.901.

Finding—Intent—Liberal construction—2009 c 510: See note following RCW 31.45.010.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 79 cases (14 in the last 5 years), 2007–2026 · leading case: Bainbridge Police Guild v. City of Puyallup, 259 P.3d 190 (Wash. 2011).

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Bainbridge Police Guild v. City of Puyallup, 259 P.3d 190 (Wash. 2011). · cites it 19× “(2) Personal information in files maintained for employees, appointees, or elected officials of any public agency to the extent that disclosure would violate their right to privacy.”

Bainbridge Island Police Guild v. City of Puyallup, 172 Wash. 2d 398 (Wash. 2011). · cites it 18× “Former RCW 42.56.230 provides in pertinent part, “The following personal information is exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter:.”

SEIU Healthcare 775NW v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 377 P.3d 214 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 14× “Statutory Language ¶83 RCW 42.56.230 states: The following personal information is exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter: (1) Personal information in any files maintained for students in public schools, patients or clients of public institutions or public…”

Harley H. Hoppe & Assocs., Inc. v. King Cnty., 255 P.3d 819 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 12× “RCW 42.56.230. Therefore, personal information is exempt from disclosure if (1) any listed statute prohibits disclosure, (2) disclosure would violate the right to privacy, or (3) disclosure would result in unfair competitive disadvantage.”

Seiu Local 925, Appellant/cross-respondent v. Freedom Found., Respondent/cross-appellant, 389 P.3d 641 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 10× “Linkage Argument Fails ¶31 In SEIU Healthcare 775NW , the union argued that RCW 42.56.230(1), which exempts the disclosure of the personal information of welfare recipients, exempted the release of a list of individual healthcare providers because this release would allow the…”

Resident Action Council v. Seattle Hous. Auth., 327 P.3d 600 (Wash. 2013). · cites it 3× “” RCW 42.56.230(1). The parties do not dispute that the grievance hearing decisions do contain such information.”

Predisik v. Spokane Sch. Dist. No. 81, 346 P.3d 737 (Wash. 2015). · cites it 7× “¶6 Predisik and Katke separately sued the District to enjoin disclosure of the leave letter and spreadsheets, alleging each record is exempt under the “[p]ersonal information” and “investigative” record exemptions of RCW 42.”

Gronquist v. Dep't of Licensing, 309 P.3d 538 (Wash. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 7× “On appeal, Licensing cited these statutes but for the first time also cited the PRA’s exemption for “[p]ersonal information,” RCW 42.56.230. ¶57 And although marked as an “explanation” at the trial court, Licensing failed to explain how any of the exemptions apply to the…”

Doe v. Pierce Cnty., 433 P.3d 838 (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 20× “The superior court determined that information in registration forms that fell under the personal information exemption, RCW 42.56.230(7), because it was of the type required to apply for a driver's license was exempt.”

West v. Dep't of Licensing, 331 P.3d 72 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 5× “[13] ¶21 RCW 42.56.230 provides: The following personal information is exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter: .”

Morgan v. City of Fed. Way, 213 P.3d 596 (Wash. 2009). · cites it 2× “RCW 42.56.230(2). A. Work Product Doctrine ¶ 11 To invoke the work product exemption, the records must relate to "`completed, existing, or reasonably anticipated litigation.”

Morgan v. City of Fed. Way, 166 Wash. 2d 747 (Wash. 2009). · cites it 2× “RCW 42.56.230(2). A. Work Product Doctrine ¶7 To invoke the work product exemption, the records must relate to “ ‘completed, existing, or reasonably anticipated litigation.”

Show all 79 citing cases →

— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230(1) — 12 cases

SEIU Healthcare 775NW v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 377 P.3d 214 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “Statutory Language ¶83 RCW 42.56.230 states: The following personal information is exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter: (1) Personal information in any files maintained for students in public schools, patients or clients of public institutions or public…”

Resident Action Council v. Seattle Hous. Auth., 327 P.3d 600 (Wash. 2013). “” RCW 42.56.230(1). The parties do not dispute that the grievance hearing decisions do contain such information.”

Seiu Local 925, Appellant/cross-respondent v. Freedom Found., Respondent/cross-appellant, 389 P.3d 641 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “Linkage Argument Fails ¶31 In SEIU Healthcare 775NW , the union argued that RCW 42.56.230(1), which exempts the disclosure of the personal information of welfare recipients, exempted the release of a list of individual healthcare providers because this release would allow the…”

Lindeman v. Kelso Sch. Dist. No. 458, 162 Wash. 2d 196 (Wash. 2007).

Lindeman v. Kelso Sch. Dist. No. 458, 172 P.3d 329 (Wash. 2007).

— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230(2) — 14 cases

Bainbridge Police Guild v. City of Puyallup, 259 P.3d 190 (Wash. 2011). “(2) Personal information in files maintained for employees, appointees, or elected officials of any public agency to the extent that disclosure would violate their right to privacy.”

Bainbridge Island Police Guild v. City of Puyallup, 172 Wash. 2d 398 (Wash. 2011). “Former RCW 42.56.230 provides in pertinent part, “The following personal information is exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter:.”

Morgan v. City of Fed. Way, 213 P.3d 596 (Wash. 2009). “RCW 42.56.230(2). A. Work Product Doctrine ¶ 11 To invoke the work product exemption, the records must relate to "`completed, existing, or reasonably anticipated litigation.”

Morgan v. City of Fed. Way, 166 Wash. 2d 747 (Wash. 2009). “RCW 42.56.230(2). A. Work Product Doctrine ¶7 To invoke the work product exemption, the records must relate to “ ‘completed, existing, or reasonably anticipated litigation.”

Bellevue John Does 1-11 v. Bellevue Sch. Dist. No. 405, 164 Wash. 2d 199 (Wash. 2008).

— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230(2)(A)(II) — 1 case

— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230(2)(a)(ii) — 2 cases

Wash. Pub. Emps. Ass'n v. Wash. State Ctr. for Childhood Deafness & Hearing Loss (Wash. 2019).

— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230(3) — 32 cases

Predisik v. Spokane Sch. Dist. No. 81, 346 P.3d 737 (Wash. 2015). “¶6 Predisik and Katke separately sued the District to enjoin disclosure of the leave letter and spreadsheets, alleging each record is exempt under the “[p]ersonal information” and “investigative” record exemptions of RCW 42.”

Predisik v. Spokane Sch. Dist. No. 81, 319 P.3d 801 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014).

Harley H. Hoppe & Assocs., Inc. v. King Cnty., 255 P.3d 819 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011). “RCW 42.56.230. Therefore, personal information is exempt from disclosure if (1) any listed statute prohibits disclosure, (2) disclosure would violate the right to privacy, or (3) disclosure would result in unfair competitive disadvantage.”

— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230(3)(a) — 4 cases

Planned Parenthood v. Bloedow, 350 P.3d 660 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015).

Kevin Miller, V State Of Wa, Dept. Of Revenue (Wash. Ct. App. 2023).

Jonathan Bloedow v. Planned Parenthood Of The Great Nw. (Wash. Ct. App. 2015).

— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230(3)(b) — 1 case

— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230(4) — 3 cases

Gronquist v. Dep't of Licensing, 309 P.3d 538 (Wash. Ct. App. 2013). “On appeal, Licensing cited these statutes but for the first time also cited the PRA’s exemption for “[p]ersonal information,” RCW 42.56.230. ¶57 And although marked as an “explanation” at the trial court, Licensing failed to explain how any of the exemptions apply to the…”

Kevin Miller, V State Of Wa, Dept. Of Revenue (Wash. Ct. App. 2023).

Resident Action Council v. Seattle Hous. Auth. (Wash. 2013).

— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230(4)(a) — 2 cases

Kevin Miller, V State Of Wa, Dept. Of Revenue (Wash. Ct. App. 2023).

Resident Action Council v. Seattle Hous. Auth. (Wash. 2013).

— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230(4)(b) — 4 cases

West v. Dep't of Licensing, 331 P.3d 72 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “[13] ¶21 RCW 42.56.230 provides: The following personal information is exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter: .”

Resident Action Council v. Seattle Hous. Auth., 327 P.3d 600 (Wash. 2013). “” RCW 42.56.230(1). The parties do not dispute that the grievance hearing decisions do contain such information.”

Arthur West v. Dept. Of Licensing (Wash. Ct. App. 2014).

Resident Action Council v. Seattle Hous. Auth. (Wash. 2013).

— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230(5) — 10 cases

Resident Action Council v. Seattle Hous. Auth., 327 P.3d 600 (Wash. 2013). “” RCW 42.56.230(1). The parties do not dispute that the grievance hearing decisions do contain such information.”

City of Lakewood v. Koenig, 343 P.3d 335 (Wash. 2014).

Block v. City of Gold Bar, 355 P.3d 266 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015).

Arthur West v. City Of Tacoma, 456 P.3d 894 (Wash. Ct. App. 2020).

Richard Lee, App. v. City Of Seattle, Seattle Police Dep't, Res. (Wash. Ct. App. 2018).

— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230(7) — 3 cases

Doe v. Pierce Cnty., 433 P.3d 838 (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). “The superior court determined that information in registration forms that fell under the personal information exemption, RCW 42.56.230(7), because it was of the type required to apply for a driver's license was exempt.”

Wash. Pub. Emps. Ass'n v. Wash. State Ctr. for Childhood Deafness & Hearing Loss (Wash. 2019).

Wa Pub. Employees Assoc. v. Wa State Ctr. For C (Wash. Ct. App. 2017).

— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.230(7)(a) — 2 cases

Wash. Pub. Emps. Ass'n v. Wash. State Ctr. for Childhood Deafness & Hearing Loss (Wash. 2019).

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