Bill Would Allow Health Department to Fine Private Detention Facilities That Deny Inspections

The committee heard a briefing and public testimony on substitute SB 6286, which would authorize the Department of Health to conduct routine and unannounced inspections of private detention facilities, impose conditions for compliance, and assess escalating civil fines for denial of entry. The substitute establishes a tiered penalty schedule beginning at $1,000 per day for the first 30 days a facility denies entry, increasing to $10,000 per day for the next 30 days, and up to $15,000 per day thereafter until access is granted. Fines would be deposited into a new Enforcement Accountability and Community Repair account in the State Treasurer's Office to provide assistance to individuals and families harmed by violations at private detention facilities.

Committee staff cited an estimated impact to the Department of Health of roughly $395,000 (one time) in the 2025–27 biennium and a four‑year cost of about $661,000 for complaint-system updates, inspection travel and enforcement. Public testimony included Mayor Anders Ipsen of Tacoma describing community impacts of private detention operations and Melissa and Zahid Chowdhury who recounted personal harm, alleged medical neglect, and urged the committee to fund both inspections and community repair.

Supporters framed the bill as accountability for profit‑driven detention operations that can obstruct oversight; proponents urged the committee to adopt the bill so fines could directly support affected families. Committee staff and the sponsor noted the details of assistance eligible under the account are in the bill report. The public hearing on the bill concluded; the transcript records the bill proceeding to later agenda items.