Wash. Rev. Code » Title 42 · Chapter 42.56
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.640 (2026)

Vulnerable individuals, in-home caregivers for vulnerable populations

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Sensitive personal information of vulnerable individuals and sensitive personal information of in-home caregivers for vulnerable populations is exempt from inspection and copying under this chapter.
(2) The following definitions apply to this section:
(a) "In-home caregivers for vulnerable populations" means: (i) Individual providers as defined in RCW 74.39A.240, (ii) home care aides as defined in RCW 18.88B.010, and (iii) family child care providers as defined in RCW 41.56.030.
(b) "Sensitive personal information" means names, addresses, GPS [global positioning system] coordinates, telephone numbers, email addresses, social security numbers, driver's license numbers, or other personally identifying information.
(c) "Vulnerable individual" has the meaning set forth in RCW 9.35.005.
[ 2017 c 4 s 8 (Initiative Measure No. 1501, approved November 8, 2016).]

Notes:

Intent—2017 c 4 ss 8, 10, and 11 (Initiative Measure No. 1501): "It is the intent of part three of this act to protect seniors and vulnerable individuals from identity theft and other financial crimes by preventing the release of public records that could be used to victimize them. Sensitive personal information about in-home caregivers for vulnerable populations is protected because its release could facilitate identity crimes against seniors, vulnerable individuals, and other vulnerable populations that these caregivers serve." [ 2017 c 4 s 7 (Initiative Measure No. 1501, approved November 8, 2016).]
Short title—Intent—Construction—2017 c 4 (Initiative Measure No. 1501): See notes following RCW 9.35.005.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2018–2024 · leading case: Bradley Boardman v. Jay Inslee, 978 F.3d 1092 (9th Cir. 2020).
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Bradley Boardman v. Jay Inslee, 978 F.3d 1092 (9th Cir. 2020). · cites it 2× “§ 8 (codified at Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.640 (1)). “Sensitive personal information” was defined to cover an individual’s name, addresses, contact information, and “other personally 12 BOARDMAN V.”
Pac. Nw Child Care Assoc., App v. Wa State Dept Of Early Learning, Resp (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 26× “The Department informed Thurber that Initiative 1501 (I-1501), codified as RCW 42.56.640,1 was passed by voters in November 2016, and exempted the records Thurber requested.”
Serv. Employees Int'l Union Local 925, App. v. Dept. Of Early Learning (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 7× “We hold that RCW 42.56.640 and RCW 43.17.410, do not apply retroactively and that former RCW 74.”
Serv. Emps. Int'l Union Local 925 v. Dep't of Early Learning (Wash. 2019). · cites it 4× “410(1) and RCW 42.56.640)because that law barred release ofthe requested records by the time the court ruled on the motion for a preliminary injunction.”
Puget Sound Advocates For Ret. Action v. State Dshs (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 3× “I-1501 and the implementing statutes created an exemption under the PRA for the sensitive personal information of individual providers, RCW 42.56.640(1), and prohibited state agencies from releasing individual providers’ sensitive personal information, RCW 43.”
Sarah Nunley v. Chelan-Douglas Health Dist. (Wash. Ct. App. 2024). “230 (exempting various personal information from a public records request); RCW 42.56.640 (exempts sensitive personal information of vulnerable individuals and home caregivers from disclosure in public records requests); RCW 42.”
Munger v. United States (W.D. Wash. 2022). “RCW 42.56.640. APS shall have the option of redacting identifying 15 information of persons other than the protected person, who are named in the record, pending 16 notification that release of the record has been ordered by a court or consented to by the named 17 witnesses,…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.640(1) — 2 cases
Puget Sound Advocates For Ret. Action v. State Dshs (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “I-1501 and the implementing statutes created an exemption under the PRA for the sensitive personal information of individual providers, RCW 42.56.640(1), and prohibited state agencies from releasing individual providers’ sensitive personal information, RCW 43.”
Serv. Emps. Int'l Union Local 925 v. Dep't of Early Learning (Wash. 2019). “410(1) and RCW 42.56.640)because that law barred release ofthe requested records by the time the court ruled on the motion for a preliminary injunction.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.640(2) — 1 case
Serv. Employees Int'l Union Local 925, App. v. Dept. Of Early Learning (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “We hold that RCW 42.56.640 and RCW 43.17.410, do not apply retroactively and that former RCW 74.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.640(2)(a) — 2 cases
Serv. Emps. Int'l Union Local 925 v. Dep't of Early Learning (Wash. 2019). “410(1) and RCW 42.56.640)because that law barred release ofthe requested records by the time the court ruled on the motion for a preliminary injunction.”
Pac. Nw Child Care Assoc., App v. Wa State Dept Of Early Learning, Resp (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). “The Department informed Thurber that Initiative 1501 (I-1501), codified as RCW 42.56.640,1 was passed by voters in November 2016, and exempted the records Thurber requested.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.640(2)(b) — 1 case
Serv. Emps. Int'l Union Local 925 v. Dep't of Early Learning (Wash. 2019). “410(1) and RCW 42.56.640)because that law barred release ofthe requested records by the time the court ruled on the motion for a preliminary injunction.”
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