The bill introduces significant reforms to Washington state law regarding legal financial obligations, particularly focusing on the treatment of indigent defendants and juvenile offenders. It allows courts to waive penalty assessments for defendants who are indigent at the time of sentencing and establishes a new state crime victim and witness assistance account to offset the fiscal impact of eliminating the crime victim penalty assessment on juveniles and indigent adults. The bill also mandates a review of revenue collection data by the administrative office of the courts and modifies the handling of DNA collection fees, permitting waivers under specific conditions. Additionally, it emphasizes that failure to pay legal financial obligations is not considered willful noncompliance for homeless or mentally ill offenders, thereby protecting them from penalties.

In terms of juvenile justice, the bill prohibits the imposition or collection of fines, administrative fees, costs, or surcharges against juveniles or their guardians, focusing instead on community-based rehabilitation and sanctions. It clarifies the court's authority to waive or reduce interest on restitution for adult offenders who demonstrate an inability to pay due to indigence and requires consideration of victims' financial hardships in restitution adjustments. The bill also sets a maximum confinement penalty of 30 days for willful violations of court orders and repeals nonrefundable fees associated with diversion services. Overall, the bill aims to create a more equitable and rehabilitative approach to legal financial obligations and juvenile justice, prioritizing support for victims and rehabilitation for offenders.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 7.68.035, 43.43.7541, 7.68.240, 9.92.060, 9.94A.6333, 9.94B.040, 9.95.210, 10.99.020, 10.82.090, 13.40.192, 13.40.200
Substitute Bill: 7.68.035, 43.43.7541, 7.68.240, 9.92.060, 9.94A.6333, 9.94B.040, 9.95.210, 10.99.020, 10.82.090, 13.40.192, 13.40.200
Engrossed Substitute: 7.68.035, 43.43.7541, 7.68.240, 9.92.060, 9.94A.6333, 9.94B.040, 9.95.210, 10.99.020, 10.82.090, 13.40.192, 13.40.200
Bill as Passed Legislature: 7.68.035, 43.43.7541, 7.68.240, 9.92.060, 9.94A.6333, 9.94B.040, 9.95.210, 10.99.020, 10.82.090, 13.40.020, 13.40.162, 13.40.230, 13.40.180, 13.40.192, 13.40.200
Session Law: 7.68.035, 43.43.7541, 7.68.240, 9.92.060, 9.94A.6333, 9.94B.040, 9.95.210, 10.99.020, 10.82.090, 13.40.020, 13.40.162, 13.40.230, 13.40.180, 13.40.192, 13.40.200