A bill that aims to improve law enforcement response to missing and murdered Native American women passed the House unanimously.
HB 1713, sponsored by Rep. Gina Mosbrucker (R–Goldendale), proposes the following changes:
- Directs the Washington State Patrol (WSP) to employ two liaisons for missing and murdered indigenous women and other indigenous persons. The liaisons are tasked with building relationships to increase trust between governmental organizations and tribal communities. The liaisons must reside on opposite sides of the state.
- Directs WSP to develop best practices for law enforcement response when receiving missing persons reports for indigenous persons.
HB 1713 was voted out of its Senate policy committee and now awaits a hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
AWC supports the bill.