Washington House Bill HB1629

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/25
• Refer: 1/27/25

Caption

AN ACT Relating to restrictions on the placement of inmates of different biological sexes in correctional facilities;

Summary

HB1629 would add a new section to Washington’s correctional statutes to limit when inmates of different biological sexes may be housed together in the same room or cell. Under the bill, an inmate in a correctional facility could not be assigned to share a room or cell with a person of a different biological sex if the inmate has a history of sexual or physical violence against a victim whose biological sex matches that of the other person assigned to the room or cell. The bill defines “history of sexual or physical violence” to include current charges or prior convictions for a sex offense, a violent offense, or an offense that constitutes domestic violence under Washington law. In practical terms, the measure creates a targeted housing restriction for certain incarcerated people based on both biological sex and violent or sexual offense history, and it would apply within state correctional facilities governed by chapter 72 RCW.

Impact

The bill would amend Washington’s correctional placement rules by creating a new statutory restriction on cell and room assignments for inmates with specified violent or sexual offense histories. It would affect the Department of Corrections and other correctional facility operators by requiring them to screen for the listed offense history before placing inmates of different biological sexes together in shared housing. The measure would not broadly prohibit mixed-sex housing in all circumstances, but it would impose a categorical limitation in the defined cases and could require changes to intake, classification, and housing policies.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee discussion or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be framed as a safety and victim-protection measure. Its stated purpose suggests support from lawmakers concerned with preventing potential harm in shared housing arrangements. Because no transcripts or vote history are provided, there is no documented public debate here, but the subject matter indicates the bill likely appeals to proponents of stricter correctional placement rules and may draw scrutiny from those concerned about classification complexity or sex-based housing policies.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the bill’s use of “biological sex” as the housing criterion, which can raise policy and legal questions about how correctional facilities classify inmates. Another likely issue is the scope of the restriction: it applies only when an inmate has a history of sexual or physical violence against a victim of the same biological sex as the proposed cellmate, which may be viewed by some as too narrow or by others as necessary and targeted. The bill also implicates correctional management concerns, including administrative burden, privacy, and the balance between inmate safety, victim protection, and housing flexibility.