Washington § 19.375.020 - Enrollment, disclosure, and retention of biometric identifiers.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 19.375.020 — Enrollment, disclosure, and retention of biometric identifiers., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 19.375.020. Enrollment, disclosure, and retention of biometric identifiers.

(1) A person may not enroll a biometric identifier in a database for a commercial purpose, without first providing notice, obtaining consent, or providing a mechanism to prevent the subsequent use of a biometric identifier for a commercial purpose.
(2) Notice is a disclosure, that is not considered affirmative consent, that is given through a procedure reasonably designed to be readily available to affected individuals. The exact notice and type of consent required to achieve compliance with subsection (1) of this section is context-dependent.
(3) Unless consent has been obtained from the individual, a person who has enrolled an individual's biometric identifier may not sell, lease, or otherwise disclose the biometric identifier to another person for a commercial purpose unless the disclosure:
(a) Is consistent with subsections (1), (2), and (4) of this section;
(b) Is necessary to provide a product or service subscribed to, requested, or expressly authorized by the individual;
(c) Is necessary to effect, administer, enforce, or complete a financial transaction that the individual requested, initiated, or authorized, and the third party to whom the biometric identifier is disclosed maintains confidentiality of the biometric identifier and does not further disclose the biometric identifier except as otherwise permitted under this subsection (3);
(d) Is required or expressly authorized by a federal or state statute, or court order;
(e) Is made to a third party who contractually promises that the biometric identifier will not be further disclosed and will not be enrolled in a database for a commercial purpose inconsistent with the notice and consent described in this subsection (3) and subsections (1) and (2) of this section; or
(f) Is made to prepare for litigation or to respond to or participate in judicial process.
(4) A person who knowingly possesses a biometric identifier of an individual that has been enrolled for a commercial purpose:
(a) Must take reasonable care to guard against unauthorized access to and acquisition of biometric identifiers that are in the possession or under the control of the person; and
(b) May retain the biometric identifier no longer than is reasonably necessary to:
(i) Comply with a court order, statute, or public records retention schedule specified under federal, state, or local law;
(ii) Protect against or prevent actual or potential fraud, criminal activity, claims, security threats, or liability; and
(iii) Provide the services for which the biometric identifier was enrolled.
(5) A person who enrolls a biometric identifier of an individual for a commercial purpose or obtains a biometric identifier of an individual from a third party for a commercial purpose pursuant to this section may not use or disclose it in a manner that is materially inconsistent with the terms under which the biometric identifier was originally provided without obtaining consent for the new terms of use or disclosure.
(6) The limitations on disclosure and retention of biometric identifiers provided in this section do not apply to disclosure or retention of biometric identifiers that have been unenrolled.
(7) Nothing in this section requires an entity to provide notice and obtain consent to collect, capture, or enroll a biometric identifier and store it in a biometric system, or otherwise, in furtherance of a security purpose.
[ 2017 c 299 s 2.]

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 19.375.020

What does Revised Code of Washington § 19.375.020 cover?

Section 19.375.020 ("Enrollment, disclosure, and retention of biometric identifiers.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Washington § 19.375.020?

A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 19.375.020" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Washington official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Washington attorney.

How does Washington § 19.375.020 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Washington can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Washington.