Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that his office will pilot a hate crimes hotline in Clark, King, and Spokane counties. The pilot program is set to launch by July 1, 2025, with plans for a statewide rollout by January 1, 2027.
The initiative stems from Senate Bill 5427, sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle), which was passed earlier this year with bipartisan support. The law establishes a statewide hotline for reporting hate crimes and bias incidents, providing information and referrals to those affected.
“The ripples of harm from hate crimes and bias incidents extend beyond the victims who are directly impacted — and they must not be tolerated,” Ferguson stated. “This pilot will set the foundation for a first-of-its-kind centralized, statewide resource for Washingtonians to report hate crimes and bias incidents.”
The hotline aims to offer culturally appropriate resources and support while collecting data on hate and bias incidents across the state. This data will be used to publish an annual report detailing these occurrences in Washington.
An advisory committee comprising members from legal aid organizations, community groups serving historically underserved populations, state agencies, and other stakeholders will assist in designing the hotline’s operations. Interested individuals can contact policy_team@atg.wa.gov to join the committee.
Washington law defines a hate crime as assault, property damage, or threats motivated by perceptions of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or disability. Bias incidents are acts of prejudice that do not involve violence or property damage but are still significant to report.
The hotline will provide victim-centered information and referrals during business hours. Upon consent from callers, staff will refer cases involving potential crimes to local law enforcement or connect individuals with counseling services as needed.
Key policymakers have expressed their support for the initiative:
Senator Valdez emphasized the importance of immediate assistance: “This new hotline is a crucial step toward ensuring the safety and support of all Washingtonians.”
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown highlighted recent local events: “The City of Spokane has seen a string of hateful acts in recent weeks which underscores the urgent need for better reporting and support mechanisms.”
Clark County Council Chair Gary Medvigy remarked on community values: “Fundamental human rights and mutual respect are the hallmarks for Clark County residents.”
King County Executive Dow Constantine noted an increase in hate crimes: “The alarming increase in hate and bias crimes across the state...is an urgent concern.”
Community organizations also voiced their approval:
Miri Cypers from the Anti-Defamation League Pacific Northwest Office called it "a critical tool in collecting data."
Imraan Siddiqi from CAIR-Washington stated it would provide "another outlet for marginalized communities."
Jasmit Singh from Khalsa Gurmat Center emphasized its role as "a lifeline for victims."
Ferguson’s efforts date back to 2019 when he convened the Multidisciplinary Hate Crimes Advisory Working Group under House Bill 1732. The group developed strategies to improve awareness and responses to hate crimes.
The first annual report based on data collected through this new hotline is due on July 1, 2027.
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