Olympia, WA – Washington State Governor Jay Inslee (D) signed Senate Bill SB 6280 on March 31, 2020, an Act relating to the use of facial recognition services; adding a new section to chapter 9.73 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date. This new bill expands on a previous facial recognition law already in effect.
Representative Joe Nguyen (D) sponsored the bill and was joined by 9 other Democrats who passed the Bill March 6th, by a vote of 63-33, with bipartisan cooperation. It was then sent to the Senate for concurrence.
The Senate Bill creates regulations for the use of facial regulations technology by the public and private sectors. It is lengthy and lists different guidelines and recommendations for actions.
The facial recognition service technology can be offered in several ways such as locating missing and incapacitated persons, identifying victims of crime, and keeping the public safe. Section 1 (2)
According to the Design World article, the facial recognition process is a five-step system. A computer is taught to map faces using key measurements and patterns from the face. The computer maps distance between the eyes, nostrils and ears. They also scan for “nodal points” such as high cheekbones or prominent jaw lines. The first step creates abstract geometric maps that can be added to a data base site.
The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) already uses facial recognition technology to make sure a person has only one driver license or identification card. According to the DOL’s website, “The agency’s goal is to ensure the integrity of driver licenses and ID cards while protecting the personal information of all Washingtonians.” The reason, according to DOL: “We use facial recognition technology to ensure an applicant does not have more than one driver license or an ID issued under a different identity. State law authorizes the use of facial recognition for a standard driver license or identification card, and requires a biometric matching system for enhanced driver licenses and ID cards.”
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