SB 5296 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Improving outcomes for individuals adjudicated of juvenile offenses by increasing opportunities for community placement options and refining procedural requirements.

This bill, SB 5296, aims to improve outcomes for juveniles adjudicated of offenses by expanding community placement options. It requires courts to make an independent finding, supported by clear evidence, that commitment to a state facility is necessary to protect the community before sentencing a juvenile to over 30 days of confinement. If this finding is not made, courts may impose local sanctions, electronic monitoring, or suspended dispositions. The bill also specifies factors for courts to consider, such as the juvenile's history, treatment needs, and personal characteristics, when determining the need for confinement.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Second Substitute Bill → Engrossed Second Substitute Bill · 5 edits · Mar 10, 2025

MODERATE

This bill modifies juvenile sentencing standards by lowering the burden of proof required to commit a youth to confinement from 'clear and convincing evidence' to 'preponderance of the evidence.' It also narrows the list of offenses that automatically disqualify a juvenile from receiving suspended sentences and clarifies appealability rules for certain dispositions.

Scope change

The bill applies to all juvenile adjudications under the standard sentencing ranges but specifically alters eligibility criteria for suspended dispositions and the evidentiary standard for commitment hearings.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the legal standard for committing a juvenile to confinement from 'clear and convincing evidence' to the lower 'preponderance of the evidence' standard, making it easier for courts to order confinement.

Reduced the number of offenses listed as automatically disqualifying for suspended dispositions by removing references to sex offenses and prior option B dispositions from the automatic ineligibility list.

Removed the requirement that dispositions within the standard range for specific offenses be appealable, while maintaining appealability for revocations of suspended dispositions involving confinement over 30 days.

ELIGIBILITY

Narrowed the list of offenses that automatically make a juvenile ineligible for suspended sentences by removing 'A+ or A++ offenses' and adding specific exceptions for certain class A offenses like robbery.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of 'serious violent offense' to simply 'violent offense' in notification requirements, potentially expanding the scope of cases requiring victim notification.

Bill → Substitute Bill · 12 edits

MAJOR

This bill updates the juvenile justice system by clarifying when courts must commit youth to state custody versus allowing community placement, expanding eligibility for treatment-focused alternatives, and adjusting release timelines. It also shifts some concurrent jurisdiction from the court to the department to streamline supervision and adds new requirements for remote hearings and risk assessments.

Scope change

The bill broadens the definition of offenses that trigger mandatory state commitment and modifies the criteria for various disposition alternatives, including chemical dependency and mental health programs.

ELIGIBILITY

Replaced a long list of specific violent offenses with a reference to a single statutory category (RCW 13.04.030) to determine when a juvenile must be committed to the department rather than placed in the community.

Updated eligibility criteria for suspended dispositions and chemical dependency alternatives to reference the new statutory offense category instead of listing specific crimes.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement that courts must make an independent finding supported by clear and convincing evidence that institutional commitment is necessary before ordering confinement over 30 days.

Mandated that the department establish contracts with at least four juvenile court administrators, including at least one located east of the Cascade mountains, for short-term custody.

Required juvenile respondents to appear remotely for review hearings unless the court orders them to appear in person.

Added a provision allowing the court to revoke a suspended disposition only if a finding is made that institutional commitment is needed.

Extended the maximum duration of authorized leave for juveniles from seven consecutive days to no limit, provided the total of all pre-minimum leaves does not exceed thirty days.

Created a new 'community transition services' program allowing juveniles to serve the remainder of their sentence in the community under supervision if deemed in the best interest of the person and community.

Required the department to design and implement a risk assessment tool that limits bias related to race, ethnicity, gender, and age.

TIMELINE

Changed the threshold for prioritizing early release dates from 60 days to 90 days of confinement.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the review hearing schedule for committed juveniles to occur at the midpoint of the minimum range (after at least four months) rather than every six months.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of 'violent offense' to 'serious violent offense' in several sections to align with updated statutory language.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 10, 2025

How they voted

28–23

Passed

Total votes 51

Mar 10, 2025

D Democratic31

27 Yea 4 Nay

87% Yea

R Republican20

1 Yea 19 Nay

95% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) but without amendment(s) by Early Learning & Human Services.

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.

lower

Apr 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

ELHS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 1:30 PM.

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 1:30 PM.

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Committee

Referred to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Feb 17, 2025

Committee

And refer to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 8:00 AM.

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 1:30 PM.

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors