Criminal Justice (Corrections)

signed · Washington · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 1457: Requiring electronic monitoring of sexually violent predators granted conditional release.

HB 1457 requires courts to impose electronic monitoring with real-time tracking, exclusion zones, and tamper alerts for sexually violent predators granted conditional release to a less restrictive setting. It mandates a 500-foot buffer zone between the person’s residence and schools/kindergarten facilities, along with individualized conditions like treatment participation, contact restrictions, and GPS supervision. The bill directs courts to collaborate with providers to tailor conditions ensuring community safety while requiring the Department of Corrections to investigate and recommend placement. It also includes fair share principles to prevent disproportionate grouping of such individuals in specific counties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires electronic monitoring and treatment participation to reduce recidivism for high-risk offenders, aligning with reform goals of public safety and rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Washington · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1239: Preparing incarcerated people for successful reentry upon release from a correctional facility.

HB 1239 modifies Washington state's earned release time policies to improve reentry outcomes for incarcerated individuals. It allows inmates to earn time off sentences through good behavior and participation in rehabilitative programs, with limits (up to 50% for eligible offenders) based on offense type and risk assessment. The bill requires participation in reentry programming to qualify for maximum earned time and creates an option for transfer to community supervision instead of earning additional time. These changes directly affect incarcerated people in Washington correctional facilities and aim to reduce repeat offenses by aligning sentence reductions with reentry readiness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill incentivizes rehabilitation participation for earned release time (up to 50%), directly targeting recidivism reduction and improving reentry outcomes per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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passed · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 5490: Providing parameters for conducting searches of transgender and intersex individuals confined in a local jail in compliance with federal law.

Senate Bill 5490 establishes specific guidelines for local jails in Washington State regarding the search of transgender and intersex individuals. It requires jail administrators to develop policies and procedures that comply with federal law and prohibits searches conducted solely for determining an individual's genital status. The bill mandates training for security staff on conducting respectful and least intrusive searches of these individuals. For strip searches, it offers options such as searches by a medical professional, female staff, or staff chosen by the individual, or in accordance with their stated gender identity. It also ensures privacy during daily activities and limits cross-gender searches to only exigent circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits searches solely for genital status in jails, mandates respectful procedures per federal law, and protects civil rights for transgender/intersex individuals in corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1424: Concerning transparency, public safety, and independent oversight of the city, county, and regional jail system in Washington state.

HB 1424 creates an independent Jail Oversight Board within the governor's office to improve transparency and safety in Washington's city, county, and regional jails. The board, appointed by the governor, will include seven members representing diverse perspectives such as jail administrators, health care providers, and individuals with lived experience of incarceration. Its role is to ensure safe and humane conditions for jail staff and people held in custody while promoting a more rehabilitative approach to jail operations. This new oversight structure replaces the previous system eliminated in 1987 and aligns with practices in 29 other states.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates independent oversight board to improve jail conditions, promote rehabilitation, and ensure humane treatment per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates safe conditions for jail staff, directly addressing workplace safety under Labor & Employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Washington · House May 20, 2025

HB 1119: Concerning supervision compliance credit.

HB 1119 modifies the rules for offenders to earn supervision compliance credit while under the supervision of the Department of Corrections. The bill simplifies the criteria, allowing offenders to earn 10 days of credit per month based solely on compliance with their supervision terms, as determined by the department. It also establishes that offenders will lose the ability to earn future supervision compliance credits if sanctioned by a court for noncompliance with community custody requirements. Additionally, the bill expands the categories of offenders who are not eligible for this credit, such as those with indeterminate sentences subject to parole.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSimplifies compliance credits to incentivize adherence, reducing recidivism through rehabilitation-focused correctional oversight95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1139: Promoting public safety and deterring unlawful firearm possession by increasing criminal penalties for unlawful possession of a firearm.

HB 1139 increases penalties for unlawful firearm possession by classifying certain cases as violent crimes, resulting in higher sentencing levels. It mandates immediate jail booking for individuals arrested for violating firearm laws, eliminating the option of release on bail or personal recognizance. The bill directly affects people who possess firearms unlawfully, particularly those with prior violent criminal records. This legislation amends Washington state laws to enhance public safety through stricter enforcement of firearm possession restrictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for firearm possession, mandates jail without bail, and classifies cases as violent crimes - expanding criminalization and increasing mandatory sentences per criminal justice indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1897: Concerning liability protections for community public safety programs.

HB 1897 creates legal liability protection for community-based public safety programs in Washington State. It shields these programs, their volunteers, and staff from lawsuits when providing core services - like outreach, case management, shelter, housing, or transportation - to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, complex needs, or past legal system involvement, as long as actions are taken in good faith. The protection specifically covers activities directly tied to the program's purpose of addressing public safety issues as an alternative to jail or prosecution. However, it does not apply to cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. This bill directly affects organizations responding to unmanaged substance use, mental health challenges, or poverty-related public order issues.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects community programs aiding justice-involved individuals, reducing legal barriers to rehabilitation services and aligning with reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill shields community programs providing behavioral health crisis services from lawsuits, directly supporting mental health care access and program continuity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

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passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1233: Concerning work programs for incarcerated persons.

House Bill 1233, known as the "ending forced labor act," aims to reform work programs for incarcerated persons within Washington State's correctional facilities. The bill updates legal terminology, replacing terms like "inmate" and "offender" with "incarcerated person." While the specific changes to work programs are not detailed in the provided text, the bill's title indicates a focus on ensuring these programs do not constitute forced labor. It also distinguishes between "privileges" earned through good conduct and performance, and services the department is legally required to provide.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets forced labor in correctional work programs, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to protect incarcerated persons' rights and improve humane treatment.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly targets forced labor in correctional work programs, aligning with workers' rights protection. Replaces dehumanizing terms to promote dignity and prevent exploitation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking

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