Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

HB 2670 increases the maximum jail term for specific assault offenses from 364 days to 365 days. It directly affects individuals convicted of fourth-degree assault where domestic violence is proven or sexual motivation is found, as defined in RCW 9A.36.041. The bill amends sentencing provisions in RCW 9A.20.021 and 9A.36.041 to raise the maximum imprisonment period for these cases. This change applies only to the specified assault circumstances and does not alter the classification of the offense. The bill was referred to the Community Safety Committee after its first reading on January 26, 2026.

HB 2310 changes sentencing for certain fourth-degree assaults by elevating them to a class C felony when the assault is found to be sexually motivated and the perpetrator has two or more prior convictions for sex offenses within the past decade. It directly affects individuals who commit sexually motivated fourth-degree assaults and have prior adult convictions for offenses like rape, child molestation, or assault with sexual motivation. The bill adds a new provision requiring a "finding of sexual motivation" under existing law (RCW 9.94A.835) to trigger the felony classification, replacing prior domestic violence-based triggers for similar cases. This targets repeat offenders with a history of sex-related crimes, making the sentencing more severe for new sexually motivated assaults in these specific circumstances.

HB 1629 prohibits housing inmates in shared cells or rooms with someone of a different biological sex if the inmate has a prior conviction or current charges for a sex offense, violent offense, or domestic violence against a victim of the same sex as the potential roommate. This rule directly affects inmates in Washington state correctional facilities and the staff managing housing assignments. The bill defines "history of sexual or physical violence" as current charges or prior convictions for offenses listed in RCW 9.94A.030. It creates a new requirement for correctional facilities to follow this placement policy.