SB 5520 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning the wrongly convicted persons act.

SB 5520 reforms Washington State's process for compensating people wrongfully convicted of felonies they did not commit. It directly affects individuals who were convicted but later cleared through new evidence, such as overturned convictions or pardons based on innocence. Key provisions require claimants to prove they were actually innocent (did not commit the charged crime), present "significant new exculpatory information" not considered at trial, and have their conviction reversed or vacated based on that evidence. The bill also establishes a clear standard of "clear and convincing evidence" for claims and ensures claims are reviewed without bias related to race, gender, or criminal history. This update simplifies the legal path to compensation for those exonerated.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Signed Mar 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill → Substitute Passed Legislature · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill adds formal certification text to confirm its passage by the legislature and modifies the rules for awarding attorney fees to wrongful conviction claimants. Specifically, it clarifies that attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of damages with a $75,000 cap, while removing a previous provision that allowed for a state-funded advance payment on these awards. These changes standardize the financial compensation process for individuals seeking redress for wrongful convictions.

Scope change

The bill's substantive scope regarding compensation eligibility remains unchanged, but the procedural requirements for receiving attorney fees have been modified.

TECHNICAL

Added certification text at the beginning to officially document the bill's passage by the Senate and House in the 2026 Regular Session.

FISCAL

Revised the attorney fee calculation to explicitly set a 10% cap on damages plus expenses, with a maximum limit of $75,000.

Deleted the provision allowing claimants to receive an advance payment from the state general fund within 30 days of a judgment.

Bill → Substitute Bill · 11 edits

MAJOR

This bill updates the Wrongly Convicted Persons Act to expand eligibility and clarify procedures for seeking compensation. Key changes include extending the statute of limitations from three to six years, adding 'civil detention' as a compensable confinement type, and requiring the Attorney General to concede innocence if specific criteria are met. The bill also adjusts compensation amounts for certain periods and broadens the definition of who qualifies as a 'wrongly convicted person' to include those who filed a successful claim, not just those awarded damages.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Wrongly Convicted Persons Act to include individuals serving civil detention alongside imprisonment and clarifies the definition of 'wrongly convicted' to encompass those who successfully file a claim, rather than only those who receive a final monetary award.

TIMELINE

Extended the statute of limitations for filing compensation claims from three years to six years after release, judicial relief, or executive relief.

Reduced the additional time granted to individuals who were not provided the required chapter information from twelve months to three years.

ELIGIBILITY

Added 'civil detention' to the list of confinement types for which claimants may receive compensation.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the burden of proof for filing claims from 'documentary evidence' to 'state facts and provide documentation' to be determined by a preponderance of the evidence.

Added specific criteria regarding Alford pleas and pleas of innocence (State v. Newton) as grounds for maintaining innocence without a retrial or acquittal.

Removed the requirement for a pardon for claims based on vacated convictions, allowing claims based on significant new exculpatory information alone.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified the Attorney General's role to require them to concede a claimant's innocence if the claim meets specific criteria, with limited exceptions for requesting an evidentiary hearing.

FISCAL

Adjusted the base compensation award for years of actual confinement from $50,000 to $70,000 in the filing criteria section, though the judgment section reflects a reduction to $50,000 for confinement resulting only from wrongful conviction.

Reduced the compensation rate for years served on parole, community custody, or as a registered sex offender from $35,000 to $25,000 per year.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'actually innocent' to require that a preponderance of the evidence no longer supports a finding of guilt.

Broadened the definition of 'wrongly convicted' to include anyone who filed a successful claim under the chapter, rather than only those who were formally awarded damages.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 9, 2026 · House Mar 6, 2026

How they voted

33–18

Passed

Total votes 51

Mar 9, 2026

D Democratic31

31 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican20

2 Yea 18 Nay

90% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 25, 2026

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed final passage; yeas, 31; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 0.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate concurred in House amendments.

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

lower

Mar 6, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (73-23-4)

house

Mar 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

CRJ - Majority; do pass.

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 8:00 AM.

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:30 AM.

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.

upper

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors