Establishes penalties and protections against harassment of initiative and referendum signature gatherers in Washington.

This bill amends Washington state law to establish penalties and protections against harassment of initiative and referendum signature gatherers. It defines harassment as knowingly threatening bodily injury, physical confinement, or other substantial harm, and places the victim in reasonable fear that the threat will be carried out. The bill specifies that harassment is a gross misdemeanor, but escalates to a class C felony under certain conditions, such as previous convictions or targeting criminal justice participants or election officials.

Establishes penalties and protections against harassment of initiative and referendum signature gatherers in Washington.

This bill amends Washington state law to establish penalties and protections against harassment of initiative and referendum signature gatherers. It defines harassment as knowingly threatening bodily injury, physical confinement, or other substantial harm, and places the victim in reasonable fear that the threat will be carried out. The bill specifies that harassment is a gross misdemeanor, but escalates to a class C felony under certain conditions, such as previous convictions or targeting criminal justice participants or election officials.