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

Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.645 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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[(1)] Nothing in chapter 4, Laws of 2017 shall prevent the release of public information in the following circumstances:
(a) The information is released to a governmental body, including the state's area agencies on aging, and the recipient agrees to protect the confidentiality of the information;
(b) The information concerns individuals who have been accused of or disciplined for abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment, or other acts involving the victimization of individuals or other professional misconduct;
(c) The information is being released as part of a judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding and subject to a court's order protecting the confidentiality of the information and allowing it to be used solely in that proceeding;
(d) The information is being provided to a representative certified or recognized under *RCW 41.56.240, or as necessary for the provision of fringe benefits to public employees, and the recipient agrees to protect the confidentiality of the information;
(e) The disclosure is required by federal law;
(f) The disclosure is required by a contract between the state and a third party, and the recipient agrees to protect the confidentiality of the information;
(g) The information is released to a person or entity under contract with the state to manage, administer, or provide services to vulnerable residents, or under contract with the state to engage in research or analysis about state services for vulnerable residents, and the recipient agrees to protect the confidentiality of the information; or
(h) Information about specific public employee(s) is released to a bona fide news organization that requests such information to conduct an investigation into, or report upon, the actions of such specific public employee(s).
(2) Nothing in chapter 4, Laws of 2017 shall prevent an agency from providing contact information for the purposes of RCW ** 74.39A.056(3) and 74.39A.250. Nothing in chapter 4, Laws of 2017 shall prevent an agency from confirming the licensing or certification status of a caregiver on an individual basis to allow consumers to ensure the licensing or certification status of an individual caregiver.
[ 2017 c 4 s 11 (Initiative Measure No. 1501, approved November 8, 2016).]

Notes:

Reviser's note: *(1) This RCW reference has been corrected to reflect the reorganization of chapter 41.56 RCW by 2025 c 290 s 2.
**(2) RCW 74.39A.056 was amended by 2025 c 214 s 2, changing subsection (3) to subsection (4).
Intent—2017 c 4 ss 8, 10, and 11 (Initiative Measure No. 1501): See note following RCW 42.56.640.
Short title—Intent—Construction—2017 c 4 (Initiative Measure No. 1501): See notes following RCW 9.35.005.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 2019–2020 · 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 10× “1501, § 11(c), (e), (f) (West) (codified at Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.645 (1)(c), (e), (f)).”
Pac. Nw Child Care Assoc., App v. Wa State Dept Of Early Learning, Resp (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 4× “PERC also concluded that the exception noted by the Association in its amended complaint, RCW 42.56.645,3 did not apply because there was no pending 3 RCW 42.”
Serv. Emps. Int'l Union Local 925 v. Dep't of Early Learning (Wash. 2019). · cites it 3× “Finally, section 11 of the initiative, now codified at RCW 42.56.645, also supports SEIU 925's position.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.645(1) — 1 case
Serv. Emps. Int'l Union Local 925 v. Dep't of Early Learning (Wash. 2019). “Finally, section 11 of the initiative, now codified at RCW 42.56.645, also supports SEIU 925's position.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.645(d) — 1 case
Pac. Nw Child Care Assoc., App v. Wa State Dept Of Early Learning, Resp (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). “PERC also concluded that the exception noted by the Association in its amended complaint, RCW 42.56.645,3 did not apply because there was no pending 3 RCW 42.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.645(l)(b) — 1 case
Serv. Emps. Int'l Union Local 925 v. Dep't of Early Learning (Wash. 2019). “Finally, section 11 of the initiative, now codified at RCW 42.56.645, also supports SEIU 925's position.”
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