OLYMPIA – A timely civil-rights bill sponsored by Representative Derek Stanford (D-Bothell) passed the State House today with unanimous support. This bi-partisan bill (HB 2097) restricts state agencies from sharing personal religious affiliation information with federal authorities, prohibiting Washington state agencies from aiding in the creation of a federal religious registry.
“Religious freedom is a Washington value. Our neighbors of faith are scared. We are seeing acts of hate on a daily basis, and the rhetoric at the national level is making our neighbors fearful,” said Stanford after passage of the bill. “My bill will prevent our state from participating in a federal religious registry. We cannot stand by silently and watch the scapegoating of an entire faith community; we must support and protect our neighbors.”
HB 2097 now moves to the Senate for consideration.