WA HB1731

Museums and historical societies may now provide notice of unclaimed property through digital methods including website postings, email, social media, physical postings in public spaces, phone calls, or other electronic communications, replacing the previous requirement for newspaper publication

Notice must be provided at least once each week for three consecutive weeks (increased from two weeks under prior law) if certified mail is undeliverable or unconfirmed within 30 days

Property becomes abandoned and transfers to the museum or society if no written assertion of title is received within 90 days from the date of the third notice provided

New process established for property found without donor documentation or abandoned without donor identity: museums must post an unknown donor notification on their website or in a public space, and ownership transfers after 90 days if no valid claim is received

Effective date: July 27, 2025; passed unanimously (House 97-0, Senate 48-0)