SB 5290 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Allowing persons who complete substance abuse programs to seek dismissal of certain controlled substance related charges.

This bill allows people charged with specific drug possession offenses under Washington state law (RCW 69.50.4011, 69.50.4013, 69.50.4014, or 69.41.030) to seek dismissal of those charges after completing a court-approved substance abuse treatment program. To qualify, individuals must first undergo a certified assessment showing a substance use disorder requiring treatment and successfully complete the recommended program. Courts must review the case, confirm the treatment completion and assessment, and determine if dismissal serves the interests of justice before dismissing the charges. The court must also provide a written explanation for its decision.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Substitute Bill · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from S-0252.2 to S-1474.2 and updated to reflect its status as a Substitute Bill read on a later date. The core policy change adds a legislative finding about judicial discretion and modifies the dismissal process to require the court to find that dismissal serves the 'interests of justice' and must be done without prejudice. It also clarifies that the treatment provider must be state-certified and requires the court to write down its reasons for dismissal.

Scope change

The bill's scope is effectively unchanged regarding which crimes are eligible for dismissal, but the procedural requirements for the court and the specific conditions for dismissal have been tightened and clarified.

TECHNICAL

Bill number changed from S-0252.2 to S-1474.2 and the reading date was updated to 02/21/25.

SCOPE

Added a new section stating that courts have the inherent power to dismiss charges to promote justice and address civil consequences of convictions.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the dismissal trigger from automatic upon filing to requiring the court to find that dismissal serves the 'interests of justice'.

Added a requirement that the treatment provider must be state-certified, not just court-approved.

Removed the requirement to file a copy of the underlying police report as part of the dismissal process.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the dismissal status to 'without prejudice' and required the court to document its reasons in writing and on the record.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 8:00 AM.

upper

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors