WashingtonWashington would end community protection program and move participants
The measure would end the community protection program, require a transition plan for participants, and preserve the supportive services they receive.
What it does
Washington would repeal its community protection program and move all participants into other services or programs. The act says supportive services should not be reduced.
In sexually violent predator cases, courts or juries would consider only placement conditions and voluntary treatment options available after unconditional release.
Argument forParticipants may gain access to less restrictive service options while the act says their supportive services should not be reduced.
Argument againstParticipants could face service disruption while the department moves everyone into other programs under a fixed transition deadline.
More detail
The Department of Social and Health Services would create and carry out a plan to move every program participant into other services or programs. The plan covers all people participating in Washington's community protection program. The act says it is not intended to reduce the supportive services that these clients receive. The department must develop and implement the transition plan by December 31, 2026. The transition-plan section expires July 1, 2027. The program repeal provisions take effect January 1, 2027.
Courts or juries would consider only placement conditions and voluntary treatment options that would exist if the person were released unconditionally. This rule applies when deciding a petition alleging that someone is a sexually violent predator. The decision still concerns whether the person would likely engage in predatory acts of sexual violence without secure confinement. This provision takes effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 31Effective date 6/11/2026*.Latest
- Mar 31Chapter 254, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 31Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 11President signed.Major
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 9Passed final passage; yeas, 51; nays, 44; absent, 0; excused, 3.Passed House
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#5). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 9House concurred in Senate amendments.
- Mar 4Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 20; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#18). Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded 877 Torres Pg 1 Ln 8 (#17). Result: fail.Upper
- Mar 4Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 4Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
- Mar 3Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 25Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 24Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 24HS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).Minor
- Feb 24Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 16First reading, referred to Human Services.Minor
- Feb 12Third reading, passed; yeas, 52; nays, 44; absent, 0; excused, 2.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#15). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Jan 19Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on third reading.Minor
- Jan 12By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
- 2025
- Apr 27By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.
- Apr 15Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Apr 8Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Apr 8Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Apr 8WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Human Services.Minor
- Apr 8Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
- Apr 5Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 12:00 PM.
- Apr 1Referred to Ways & Means.Minor
- Mar 31And refer to Ways & Means.Minor
- Mar 31Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Mar 31Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Mar 31HS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).Minor
- Mar 31Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 1:30 PM.
- Mar 24Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 1:30 PM.
- Mar 5First reading, referred to Human Services.Minor
- Mar 3Third reading, passed; yeas, 55; nays, 42; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#7). Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Final Passage on Reconsideration (#21). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Vote on third reading will be reconsidered.
- Mar 3Third reading, passed; yeas, 56; nays, 41; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Mar 3Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 31st substitute bill substituted (ELHS 25).Major
- Feb 18Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 11Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 7Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 7ELHS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 7Executive action taken in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 29Public hearing in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 20First reading, referred to Early Learning & Human Services.Introduced
Mental HealthDisability RightsCriminal Justice