The proposed bill establishes the Washington Jail Council within the governor's office to enhance jail transparency, ensure humane conditions for both staff and incarcerated individuals, and promote reforms for a more rehabilitative jail system. The council will consist of seven members, including individuals with lived experience of incarceration, medical and behavioral health professionals, and a licensed attorney, all appointed by the governor. The council will have various powers and duties, such as monitoring jail compliance, collecting and analyzing operational data, and submitting annual reports to the governor and legislature. Additionally, the bill amends existing law to require that unexpected fatality reviews in jails include the director of the Washington Jail Council or their designee, aiming to develop recommendations for preventing future fatalities and improving safety and health protections for incarcerated individuals.

The bill also introduces legal protections for documents and testimonies related to unexpected fatality reviews, specifying that such documents are generally inadmissible in civil or administrative proceedings, with certain exceptions. It clarifies that individuals involved in these reviews cannot be deemed unavailable as witnesses solely based on their participation, although their examination in court will be limited regarding their interactions with the review process. Furthermore, the bill includes definitions for key terms and emphasizes the need for thorough analysis and corrective action plans to address the root causes of unexpected fatalities. Notably, it establishes these provisions as a new chapter in Title 43 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW).

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 70.48.510
Substitute Bill: 70.48.510