HB 1591 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Providing remedies for defendant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking.

HB 1591 allows Washington courts to reduce criminal sentences or use alternative sentencing for defendants who were victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking at the time of their offense. To qualify, the court must find that the abuse significantly contributed to the defendant's criminal conduct and that standard sentencing would be excessively severe. If eligible, the court may impose a reduced prison term combined with extended community supervision instead of full incarceration, while excluding certain serious offenses like murder or sex crimes requiring registration. The bill also permits resentencing for current inmates serving eight+ year sentences who meet the criteria.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill → Second Substitute Bill · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill title was updated to reflect its status as a 'Second Substitute Bill' and the sponsoring committee changed from 'Community Safety' to 'Appropriations'. The act's description was slightly adjusted to note the creation of 'new sections' instead of just a 'new section'. A new provision was added stating that if specific funding is not included in the June 30, 2026 omnibus appropriations act, the entire bill becomes null and void.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the creation of new sections was clarified, and a new funding contingency was added that could effectively nullify the bill if funding is not secured by a specific date.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated from 'Substitute House Bill' to 'Second Substitute House Bill' and the committee changed from 'Community Safety' to 'Appropriations'.

REQUIREMENT

The summary of the act was updated to specify that 'new sections' (plural) are being created rather than just one.

FISCAL

A new section was added requiring specific funding by June 30, 2026, or the entire act will be null and void.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 9, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 4:00 PM.

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 8:00 AM.

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 4:00 PM.

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

lower

Feb 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 4:00 PM.

lower

Feb 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 1:30 PM.

lower

1 primary · 9 co-sponsors