A bill creating the Census Bill of Rights and setting criminal penalties for interference with the 2020 Census advanced out of the House Government & Tribal Relations Committee.
HB 2527, sponsored by Rep. Bill Ramos (D–Issaquah), affirms that every Washington resident has the right to participate in the federal Census without fear or intimidation. The bill also provides that individuals who impersonate Census workers face fraud charges under state law. The bill was amended to clarify the right of residents to respond to the 2020 Census in person.
HB 2527 is currently in the House Rules Committee awaiting a vote of the House of Representatives.