Criminal Justice

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 6084: Clarifying the prohibition on voting more than once in an election.

SB 6084 clarifies that intentionally voting more than once in the same election - whether in Washington state or across state lines on the same election date - is a felony offense. It directly affects voters who attempt to cast ballots in multiple jurisdictions on the same day, regardless of ballot content or office. The bill defines "same election" strictly by date, not by ballot issues, and specifies that voters may still cast ballots in both a general election and a special election held on the same day. This amendment corrects a court interpretation to prevent confusion ahead of the 2026 elections.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by defining multiple voting in one election as a felony, matching OPPOSE indicator of 'expands criminalization'.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2464: Concerning reporting requirements and law enforcement responses for incidents at private detention facilities.

HB 2464 requires private detention facilities operating under government contracts to meet specific standards for food services, staff training, and infection control, while mandating timely reporting of serious incidents like abuse, death, or injuries to health and law enforcement. Facilities must provide balanced meals with dietary oversight, maintain safety protocols, and post clear policies on detained persons' rights. Starting November 2026, law enforcement agencies must annually report to the health department on how they responded to facility incidents, including whether victims received police reports or prosecutions occurred. The bill directly affects private detention facilities with government contracts, aiming to improve oversight and accountability in their operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates standards for private detention facilities (corrections) including incident reporting, rights policies, and safety protocols, promoting oversight and civil rights in detention, aligning with criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires detention facility standards and incident reporting, protecting detainee rights in immigration custody per bill's focus on abuse/death reporting and facility protocols.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2203: Creating the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations.

HB 2203 creates a new offense for drivers who operate vehicles on public roadways closed due to emergencies (e.g., barricades, emergency vehicles), with two penalty levels: a serious misdemeanor for general violations, or a felony if the act causes injury to first responders or involves minors/vulnerable adults. Convicted individuals face license suspension (60-90 days) and must reimburse public agencies for emergency response costs, capped at $25,000 per incident. The bill directly affects drivers who ignore emergency closures, particularly those with minors in the vehicle or who endanger first responders. It establishes clear penalties and financial accountability for reckless interference during emergency operations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new offense with felony penalties for drivers interfering with emergencies, expanding criminalization of non-violent conduct per 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances road safety by penalizing reckless driving on emergency-closed roadways, protecting first responders and public safety during emergencies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1574: Protecting access to life-saving care and substance use services.

HB 1574 expands "Good Samaritan" protections for individuals seeking or experiencing medical assistance during a drug-related overdose. The bill prevents these individuals from being arrested, charged, or prosecuted for drug possession if the evidence was obtained due to the overdose. It also protects them from civil forfeiture of property (with exceptions) and penalties for certain violations, such as probation or restraining orders, if these were discovered as a result of the overdose. Furthermore, it clarifies that these overdose protections can override mandatory arrest requirements for other offenses when the evidence is linked to the overdose and the need for medical assistance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents criminal prosecution for drug possession during overdose response, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing barriers to seeking medical help and protecting civil rights.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to life-saving care by removing legal barriers for overdose assistance, protecting patient rights during substance use treatment, aligning with healthcare access and protection indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1604: Providing parameters for conducting searches of transgender and intersex individuals confined in a local jail in compliance with federal law.

HB 1604 requires Washington state local jails to create policies for searching transgender and intersex individuals confined there, ensuring compliance with federal law. It prohibits searches solely to determine genital status, mandates staff training for respectful searches, and gives individuals options for who conducts searches (e.g., a medical professional, staff of their preferred gender, or staff matching their gender identity). Jails must implement these policies by September 1, 2025, and cross-gender searches are only allowed in true emergencies threatening facility security. The bill directly affects transgender and intersex people in local jails and modifies existing search procedures under state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires respectful search policies for transgender/intersex jail inmates, protecting civil rights in corrections - directly aligns with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1218: Concerning persons referred for competency evaluation and restoration services.

HB 1218 aims to improve services for individuals referred for competency evaluations and restoration within the criminal justice system, particularly those with behavioral health needs. The bill expands and clarifies the role of forensic navigators, who courts may appoint to assist these individuals. Forensic navigators help individuals access diversion programs, community outpatient competency restoration services, housing, and medication, while also providing updates to the court and legal parties. The goal is to reduce the demand on forensic mental health facilities by diverting individuals to community-based behavioral health care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands forensic navigators to connect individuals with behavioral health needs to diversion, housing, and outpatient services, reducing reliance on incarceration and advancing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to community mental health services for individuals in criminal justice system through forensic navigators, improving healthcare access for behavioral health needs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1113: Concerning accountability and access to services for individuals charged with a misdemeanor.

HB 1113, known as the public SAFE-T Act, creates a pathway for individuals charged with certain simple or gross misdemeanors in Washington state to have their charges dismissed. Under this bill, a court may agree to dismiss a misdemeanor charge if the defendant waives their right to a speedy trial and substantially complies with court-ordered conditions and programs for up to 12 months. Full restitution is a required condition for dismissal, although inability to pay due to indigence is not a barrier if progress is made. However, the bill explicitly excludes a wide range of specific offenses, such as domestic violence, DUI-related charges, and certain assault or firearm offenses, from this dismissal process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables dismissal of misdemeanor charges after completing court-ordered programs and restitution, promoting diversion over incarceration and reducing recidivism through rehabilitation-focused pathways.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2044: Addressing unexcused student absences.

HB 2044 revises how unexcused student absences are addressed by school districts, affecting students and their parents. The bill eliminates the requirement for school districts to file truancy petitions before a child's fifth unexcused absence. Instead, after a fifth unexcused absence, districts are directed to enter into an attendance agreement with the parent or child (if age eight or above), either directly or through a community engagement board. Truancy petitions to juvenile court are now generally required only if an attendance agreement is not reached or not complied with, and typically not before the child's 15th unexcused absence in a school year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates juvenile court truancy petitions, reducing criminal justice system involvement in student absences, aligning with reform goals of diverting low-level issues from courts.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationShifts from punitive truancy petitions to supportive attendance agreements, promoting student engagement without restriction or defunding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5093: Concerning dignity in pregnancy loss.

Senate Bill 5093 aims to ensure dignity for individuals experiencing pregnancy loss in Washington state. It amends existing law to remove specific mentions of abortion, premature birth, and stillbirth from the circumstances that automatically trigger a coroner's investigation, thereby reducing the potential for criminalization of pregnancy outcomes. The bill also repeals the "Concealing birth" statute. Additionally, it establishes a new requirement for correctional institutions and private detention facilities to annually report the aggregate number of people experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, or perinatal loss while confined, with the Department of Health compiling a statewide report for the legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves abortion/premature birth/stillbirth from coroner triggers, preventing criminalization of pregnancy outcomes, and repeals 'Concealing birth' statute reducing unnecessary criminal justice involvement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice