SB 6017 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Supporting crime victims and witnesses by promoting victim-centered, trauma-informed responses.

SB 6017 creates a new procedure for sexual assault and domestic violence cases where the defendant is representing themselves (pro se). It allows courts or standby counsel to conduct direct questioning of victim witnesses during trial if the court finds the victim would suffer severe trauma from the defendant's presence, the prosecutor prepared the victim, and no less restrictive method exists. The defendant retains the right to submit written questions for the court to ask during this process. The bill requires courts to make specific findings on the record to balance victim protection with the defendant's constitutional rights. This policy change aims to reduce trauma for victims while maintaining fair trial procedures.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Last action Feb 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill → Second Substitute Bill · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision expands protections for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence by broadening the definition of covered crimes to include female genital mutilation. It also strengthens the rules for pro se defendants (those without lawyers) by requiring courts to use standby counsel or investigators to conduct all questioning of victims, rather than just direct questioning, to reduce trauma. Additionally, the bill updates the composition of the state advisory group to include a representative for children's advocacy centers.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from covering only sexual assault and domestic violence to explicitly include female genital mutilation as a covered act of sexual violence.

SCOPE

Added female genital mutilation to the list of acts of sexual violence covered by the victim protection provisions.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for pro se defendants from allowing the court to conduct 'direct questioning' to requiring 'all examination' of the victim to be conducted by the court or appointed counsel.

Updated the hearing process to clarify that the pro se defendant cannot question the victim face-to-face during the preliminary hearing but may present arguments opposing the request.

Added a new requirement for the advisory group to include one member representing children's advocacy centers.

Adjusted the advisory group composition by removing a specific requirement for a sexual assault nurse and clarifying the roles of community-based advocates.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to Ways & Means.

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Committee

And refer to Ways & Means.

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

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors