The bill revises the laws governing earned release time for offenders in Washington State, focusing on the calculation and eligibility of earned release credits. It allows correctional agencies to calculate earned release time in advance but prohibits crediting it until actually earned. Offenders convicted of specific felonies, particularly those with deadly weapon or impaired driving enhancements, will not receive good time credits for those portions of their sentences. For offenses committed on or after July 1, 2024, the bill permits offenders to accrue earned release time up to 33.33% of their total sentence, with certain exclusions.

Additionally, the bill strengthens notification requirements for the Department of Corrections regarding the release of inmates convicted of serious drug and violent offenses. It mandates notifications to local law enforcement and individuals such as victims and witnesses, including parents or guardians of minors, in cases where the victim or witness is under sixteen. The bill also stipulates that the department must keep records of these notifications for at least two years post-release. Furthermore, it includes a provision that renders the act null and void if specific funding is not secured by June 30, 2024, and it redefines terms related to violent offenses and next of kin while protecting certain information from public inspection.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 9.94A.729
Substitute Bill: 9.94A.729
Second Substitute: 9.94A.729, 72.09.710, 72.09.712