WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5855

SB 5855: Law enf. face coverings

Concerning the use of face coverings by law enforcement officers.

Summary

  • Prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties, with specified exceptions.
  • Establishes a civil cause of action for persons who are detained by law enforcement officers violating the prohibition on facial coverings, while exempting from liability officers who, at the time of detention, were reasonably identifiable as required.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SSB 5855), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 115, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 12, 2026
  2. Out of committeeJan 16, 2026
  3. Passed SenateJan 28, 2026
  4. Passed HouseMar 3, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 19, 2026
  6. LawMar 19, 2026
Prime sponsor
Javier Valdez (D-46)
Introduced
January 12, 2026 in the Senate
Last action
March 19, 2026
Session law
Chapter 115, Laws of 2026
Companion bill
HB 2173
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5855, SSB 5855

AN ACT Relating to the use of face coverings by law enforcement officers;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Javier Valdez (D-46)

26 co-sponsors (26 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Mike Chapman D-24John Lovick D-44Yasmin Trudeau D-27Lisa Wellman D-41Vandana Slatter D-48Jessica Bateman D-22Noel Frame D-36Adrian Cortes D-18Rebecca Saldaña D-37June Robinson D-38Derek Stanford D-1Claudia Kauffman D-47Annette Cleveland D-49T'wina Nobles D-28Liz Lovelett D-40Tina Orwall D-33Bob Hasegawa D-11Jamie Pedersen D-43Marcus Riccelli D-3Sharon Shewmake D-42Emily Alvarado D-34Claire Wilson D-30Victoria Hunt D-5Steve Conway D-29Manka Dhingra D-45Jesse Salomon D-32

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed January 28, 2026
Version voted on: SSB 5855
30 Yea 19 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican01900
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 3, 2026
Version voted on: SSB 5855
56 Yea 37 Nay 0 Absent 5 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat56003
Republican03702
How each member voted

Yea (56)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 9, 2026
Version voted on: SSB 5855
30 Yea 19 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican01900
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 3/19/2026. (SSB 5855)
  2. Chapter 115, 2026 Laws. (SSB 5855)
  3. Governor signed. (SSB 5855)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SSB 5855)
  5. Speaker signed. (SSB 5855)
  6. President signed. (SSB 5855)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 5855)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (SSB 5855)
  9. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5855)
  10. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended. (SSB 5855)
  11. Third reading, passed; yeas, 56; nays, 37; absent, 0; excused, 5. (SSB 5855)
  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SSB 5855)
  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SSB 5855)
  14. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5855)
  15. CS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (SSB 5855)
  16. CS - Executive action taken by committee. (SSB 5855)
  17. First reading, referred to Community Safety. (SSB 5855)
  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 5855)
  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5855)
  20. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SSB 5855)
  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5855)
  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5855)
  25. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  26. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5855)
  27. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5855)
  28. Minority; do not pass.
  29. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  30. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.
  31. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5855 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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