Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · Washington · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2694: Prohibiting sexually violent predators from being placed in less restrictive alternatives within 500 feet of, or with a sight line to, certain facilities or schools.

HB 2694 prohibits sexually violent predators on conditional release (community-based supervision) from residing within 500 feet of, or having a sight line to, K-12 schools, child care facilities, or recreational facilities. The bill requires courts to impose specific conditions, including 500-foot distance restrictions and electronic monitoring with real-time tracking, to protect community safety during conditional release. It amends Washington’s conditional release laws (RCW 71.09.096) to mandate these location-based restrictions as part of court-ordered release conditions. The law applies directly to individuals previously committed under Washington’s sexually violent predator statute who seek placement in less restrictive community settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeImposes 500ft restrictions & electronic monitoring for predators near schools to protect community safety, aligning with criminal justice safety goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SB 6095: Protecting elected officials and candidates, executive state officers, election officials, and criminal justice participants against threats and incidents of political violence.

SB 6095 makes it a class C felony to threaten or harass elected officials (including candidates), executive state officers, election officials, or criminal justice participants (like law enforcement, prosecutors, or court staff) when the threat is related to their official duties. The bill expands Washington’s address confidentiality program, allowing these individuals to keep their primary residential addresses private by using a designated state address instead of their real home address in public records. This protects their safety by reducing the risk of targeted violence or harassment. The law applies to anyone facing threats related to their role in government or criminal justice, with eligibility requiring a sworn statement of credible fear.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects criminal justice participants (law enforcement, court staff) from threats, enhancing safety and operational security within the system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 6086: Strengthening security for Washington state judicial officers and court personnel.

SB 6086 authorizes Washington state court bailiffs and security consultants to conduct threat assessments and access limited criminal history data (including unconvicted incidents) specifically to investigate threats against judges, justices, and court personnel. It requires staff to be trained for these duties, strictly restricts data use to threat investigations, and mandates referrals to local law enforcement for verified threats. The bill clarifies that "judicial officer" includes all state and federal court staff (from supreme courts to municipal courts) and adds new rules for securely handling nonconviction data. These changes aim to strengthen security protocols while limiting data access to only authorized threat-related purposes under strict confidentiality rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill authorizes threat assessments and security measures for judicial personnel, strengthening court safety within criminal justice system. Restricts data use to threat investigations and mandates law enforcement referrals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Washington · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2595: Concerning collateral attacks on judgment and sentence in criminal cases.

HB 2595 extends the time limit for filing collateral attacks on criminal convictions from one year to three years after a judgment becomes final. It defines "collateral attack" to include postconviction petitions like personal restraint petitions and motions to vacate judgments, and specifies when a judgment becomes final (e.g., after direct appeals or Supreme Court certiorari denial). The bill requires the Department of Corrections to notify currently incarcerated individuals about this new three-year limit. These changes directly affect people convicted of felonies who seek postconviction relief, aiming to streamline legal processes while maintaining access to certain remedies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends postconviction review time from 1 to 3 years, enabling more opportunities for defendants to challenge convictions, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 23, 2026

HB 2643: Concerning the due process requirements and the procedures of a peace officer being placed on Brady and Giglio lists.

HB 2643 protects peace officers from disciplinary action solely based on being listed on prosecutor-maintained "Brady and Giglio lists" (which flag officers with potential impeachment evidence). It requires law enforcement agencies to base discipline on the underlying misconduct, not the list placement itself. The bill grants officers a due process right to challenge their listing in superior court, where evidence is reviewed confidentially under seal, with a preponderance-of-evidence standard. This ensures officers can contest their inclusion without public disclosure, while preserving prosecutors' legal duty to share impeachment evidence under Brady/Giglio.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill weakens law enforcement accountability by preventing discipline based on Brady/Giglio lists, requiring misconduct proof instead of list placement, reducing oversight mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 6338: Requiring the court to consider recommendations from the prosecutor before approving a less restrictive alternative for a sexually violent predator.

SB 6338 requires Washington courts to consider prosecutor recommendations about housing plans before approving community-based release for sexually violent predators. The bill amends existing law to mandate that courts allow prosecutors in the housing county to provide input on the suitability of proposed housing, and the court must formally weigh this input before making final release decisions. If the court's decision differs significantly from the prosecutor's recommendation, it must explain its reasoning in writing. This change directly affects courts, prosecutors, and individuals seeking conditional release under Washington’s sexually violent predator laws, focusing on housing safety and community protection. The bill does not alter treatment requirements or supervision terms but adds a formal step for prosecutor involvement in housing approval.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables community-based release for sexually violent predators with prosecutor input, aligning with reform goals of balancing public safety and rehabilitation while ensuring judicial review.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 2686: Exempting certain petitions for dissolution of marriage from the expense of filing and service of process.

HB 2686 exempts certain divorce petitioners from filing fees and service costs if domestic violence occurred during the marriage. Specifically, it waives all fees for filing a dissolution petition and requires law enforcement to serve the petition at no cost to the petitioner if a domestic violence protection order was issued against the respondent or if the respondent was charged with domestic violence. This applies directly to individuals seeking divorce who have experienced domestic violence, as defined in state law. The bill ensures these petitioners avoid financial barriers to accessing the court system while prioritizing their safety. It does not change existing fee structures for other divorce cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeWaives fees for domestic violence victims seeking divorce, removing barriers to legal protection and aligning with victim-centered criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 2687: Prohibiting a less restrictive alternative placement from abutting a residence with a minor in the household.

HB 2687 sets safety conditions for individuals conditionally released into community settings from secure facilities. It requires a 500-foot buffer from schools (K-12) and child care facilities, prohibits the person's residence from being adjacent to a home with a minor, and mandates electronic monitoring with real-time tracking and exclusion zones. These rules aim to protect community safety, particularly for children, while allowing for community-based treatment. The bill applies to individuals under court-ordered conditional release, such as those in Washington’s commitment system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables community-based treatment for released individuals with safety measures (buffer zones, monitoring), aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2698: Requiring the court to consider recommendations from the prosecutor before approving a less restrictive alternative for a sexually violent predator.

This bill requires courts to consider recommendations from the county prosecutor before approving housing for a sexually violent predator under a less restrictive alternative, such as conditional release. Specifically, the prosecutor in the county where proposed housing is located must be given the opportunity to comment on whether the housing meets community safety standards. The court must weigh these recommendations and, if its decision differs materially from the prosecutor's input, provide a written explanation for its reasoning. This change applies only to housing-related decisions in conditional release cases and does not alter other requirements, such as treatment plans or supervision. The bill targets court proceedings involving sexually violent predators seeking reduced restrictions under Washington law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires prosecutor input on community safety for predator housing, enhancing court oversight to protect public safety within criminal justice framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2417: Changing the Washington code of military justice so that it includes certain protections for victims of an offense while serving within the organized militia of Washington.

HB 2417 updates Washington's military justice code to extend specific victim protections to members of the state National Guard (organized militia) who experience crimes while serving in their state capacity. It directly affects National Guard members who are victims of offenses under the state military code. The bill establishes concrete rights including protection from the accused, timely notice of court proceedings, the right to be heard at key hearings, privacy safeguards, and access to restitution. These provisions align state military justice standards with federal protections to ensure consistent victim treatment during both federal and state service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends victim protections (privacy, notice, hearing rights) to National Guard members under military justice, advancing victim rights within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights