Senate Bill 5388 revises how behavioral health services, including substance use disorder treatment, are regulated for individuals in Washington state correctional facilities. Rather than requiring these services to be licensed by the Department of Health (DOH), the bill shifts to a monitoring process. The Department of Corrections (DOC) and DOH will jointly establish standards for these services, which the DOH will then monitor through annual inspections for compliance. The DOC must implement these standards by July 1, 2027, with DOH beginning annual inspections and providing technical assistance from that date forward.
Substitute House Bill 1811 aims to enhance crisis response services in Washington state by integrating and supporting "co-response" teams. The bill formalizes co-response as a multidisciplinary partnership between first responders (like law enforcement and EMTs) and human services professionals (such as social workers and behavioral health clinicians). These teams respond to emergency situations, including 911 and 988 calls, involving behavioral health crises and complex medical needs. The goal is to de-escalate situations, divert individuals from the criminal justice system, and provide immediate medical and behavioral health care in the field, benefiting vulnerable populations.
House Bill 1359 establishes a task force to comprehensively review Washington state laws related to criminal insanity and competency to stand trial. This task force will include members from various state agencies, courts, legal professions, advocacy groups, and individuals with direct experience in the forensic mental health system. Its purpose is to identify barriers in current laws, suggest changes to promote patient-centered language and reduce stigma, and recommend policy updates that encourage effective treatment and safe hospital discharges. The task force is required to report its findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature by December 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill directs the reorganization and removal of specific sections within chapter 10.77 RCW.
HB 1498 establishes a grant program to help cities and counties create and operate domestic violence co-responder programs. These programs deploy domestic violence victim advocates alongside law enforcement to provide on-scene support, resources, and care navigation for victims and their families. The bill creates a dedicated state treasury account, funded primarily by an additional $100 fee on marriage licenses, to support this initiative. The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy will administer these grants, also providing technical assistance and support for billing health insurance for services.
HB 2015 establishes a new grant program to improve public safety by providing direct financial support to local and tribal law enforcement agencies. These grants are intended to help agencies with hiring, retaining, and training law enforcement officers, as well as peer counselors and behavioral health personnel for co-response teams. To qualify for funding, agencies must meet specific requirements, including implementing state policies on use of force and de-escalation, participating in mandated trainings, and demonstrating compliance with data collection standards. Grant funds can cover up to 75 percent of entry-level salaries and benefits for new officers and support costs for required officer training.
Senate Bill 5032 expands the responsibilities of the Office of the Family and Children's Ombuds. It extends the ombuds' oversight to include juvenile rehabilitation facilities operated by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). This allows the ombuds to investigate complaints, monitor procedures, and review these facilities. To facilitate this, DCYF must grant the ombuds access to facilities, individuals in custody, and relevant records, including the juvenile rehabilitation case management system.
House Bill 1829 establishes a formal process for Washington state courts and law enforcement to recognize and act upon arrest warrants issued by federally recognized tribal courts. It allows tribal courts to file their warrants with county superior courts. If a state superior court reviews the tribal warrant and finds probable cause for a crime, it must issue a corresponding state arrest warrant. The bill also grants federally recognized tribes standing in state court hearings concerning the legality of extradition and updates various legal definitions to include tribal legal processes. This legislation aims to facilitate cooperation between tribal and state justice systems regarding individuals subject to tribal warrants.
Substitute Senate Bill 5714 defines new types of unprofessional conduct for licensed bail bond agents and bail bond recovery agents in Washington state. The bill prohibits these agents from using their position to enforce civil immigration warrants. Additionally, it makes it unprofessional conduct for agents to share a defendant's immigration status outside of their bail bond agency's business. These provisions aim to regulate the specific activities and information handling practices of bail bond professionals.
HB 1395 streamlines the background check process for home care workers, long-term care providers, and others working with vulnerable adults and children in Washington state. It prevents the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) from automatically disqualifying individuals for certain past criminal convictions, such as specific theft or assault charges, once a specified number of years have passed. However, DSHS or authorized entities can still consider these convictions during a "character, competence, and suitability review," and clients must be informed of an approved provider's background check results before services begin. The bill also allows some providers to work for up to 30 days while their review is pending, with client notification, and limits when new suitability reviews are required for previously cleared non-disqualifying issues.
HB 1460 enhances the "protection order hope card" program for individuals protected by court orders, such as victims of domestic violence or stalking, and aids law enforcement. It mandates that these cards be in a scannable electronic format, where feasible, containing critical details like the names of protected and restrained individuals, the order's specifics, and crucially, information about any firearm prohibitions and compliance status. The bill allows protected individuals to request a card when the order is first issued or later, without a fee, and ensures the scannable codes can link to a digital record of the entire case history, including firearm relinquishment details. The hope card holds the same legal authority as the underlying protection order, and the program now explicitly includes extreme risk protection orders.
