Bill Would Prevent Sponsor Testimony in Civil Cases

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A bill in Washington state would grant testimonial privilege in civil cases to sponsors of people in alcohol or drug addiction recovery programs. Senate Bill 6498 would give legal protection to communications between a person in an alcohol or drug recovery program and their sponsor in noncriminal cases. It passed the Senate on a unanimous vote earlier this month. The House Judiciary Committee approved the measure Friday, and it now awaits action by the full House. Under the bill, a person "who acts as a sponsor providing guidance, emotional support, and counseling in an individualized manner" to someone in a recovery program can't testify in a civil action or proceeding about anything said in their conversations, unless the privilege is waived by the person in recovery or on account of their death.