_Regulation · Data protection_

# Washington biometric privacy law (RCW 19.375; HB 1493)

Canonical ID: `9b3d1c83-7097-4b88-9bd1-47609ac63995`

- **Jurisdiction:** [Washington State](/locations/washington-state.md) (id: `00027fb5-da62-4112-9f48-bf7637fe0db9`)
- **Kind:** `data_protection`
- **Status (derived):** in_effect
- **Effective:** 2017-07-23

Washington's biometric-privacy law (RCW 19.375, enacted by HB 1493, 2017) bars enrolling a biometric identifier (data from automatic measurements of biological characteristics - voiceprints, fingerprints, retinas, irises, and other unique physical patterns) in a database for a commercial purpose without notice and consent. Enforced by the Attorney General via the Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.375.030); no private right of action. Robot-operation nexus: humanoid robots with perception systems enrolling biometric identifiers fall within its scope. Scoped formFactors=['humanoid'].

## Sources (3)

1. https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.375
2. https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.375.020
3. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/washingtons-biometric-data-regime-advances-privacy-regulation

## Status history

- **in_effect** · 2017-07-23 · editor:DEPLOY content-agent (Sprint 5b-4 biometric/workplace state laws)
    - Washington biometric privacy law (RCW 19.375 / HB 1493) in effect since 2017; AG-enforced via the Consumer Protection Act (humanoid-perception nexus).

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