OLYMPIA – Legislation to strengthen Washington’s protections against sexual predators cleared both chambers following the House passage of the Senate companion bill Tuesday.
Senate Bill 5105 sponsored by Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), and its companion House Bill 1169, sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt (D–University Place), are the result of close collaboration with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, prosecutors, and frontline investigators who work every day to protect children and other vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
“This bill tackles the harm that these kinds of fabricated images cause to real children — harm we cannot ignore as generative artificial intelligence becomes more powerful and widespread. I’m proud we’ve delivered legislation that will help law enforcement hold predators accountable and deliver justice to survivors,” said Sen. Orwall.
“This legislation is about protecting kids and strengthening the tools our law enforcement and prosecutors need to hold predators accountable,” added Rep. Leavitt. “We worked closely with ICAC and prosecutors to ensure this bill responds to real gaps in the law and reflects what investigators are seeing on the ground.”
The legislation updates and clarifies statutory language to better address modern forms of exploitation, ensuring Washington law keeps pace with evolving technology and investigative realities. The bill reflects input from prosecutors and members of the ICAC Task Force to improve enforceability and close loopholes that have made prosecution more difficult.
“Today, individuals exploit children in unspeakable ways and then share those images, further exacerbating the harm. With modern technology, individuals modify images to try and get around investigations and prosecution,” said Russell Brown, executive director of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. “Whether the material is of a known child victim or an unknown child victim in an obscene image, whether the material has been modified by technology or not, SB 5105 will ensure law enforcement and prosecutors have the tools they need to respond.”
Rep. Leavitt and Sen. Orwall emphasized that protecting children from sexual exploitation remains a bipartisan priority.
“Public safety is not partisan,” said Leavitt. “When it comes to protecting children from sexual predators, we stand united.”
The Senate bill passed the House unanimously. The bill now makes its way to the Governor’s desk.
Contact: Stephanie Davidsmeyer, stephanie.davidsmeyer@leg.wa.gov | 360-786-1528
Contact: Miles Sari, miles.sari@leg.wa.gov | 360-786-7782