Senate legislation proposes changes to how police and other enforcement officers interact with minors in possession of tobacco and vapor products.

SB 6489, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D–Seattle), amends current law to reflect the new minimum age for purchasing and possessing tobacco and vapor products, and places new guidelines on how police interact with minors in possession of these products.

Currently, police are authorized to detain and seize contraband products from minors. SB 6489 adds a requirement that police provide the detained minor with documentation describing the products seized and written information on available cessation resources.

Please contact Sharon or Jacob with your feedback on this bill.

Dates to remember

SB 6489 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation Committee at 8 am on Wednesday, February 5.