The bill amends various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) concerning clemency and pardons, with a particular focus on the supervision of individuals on probation or community custody. A significant change is the replacement of the term "offender" with "individual," promoting a more person-centered approach. The bill specifies the categories of individuals under supervision, including those convicted of certain sexual and domestic violence offenses and dangerous mentally ill offenders. It also establishes that individuals granted conditional commutation by the governor will be supervised if community custody is a condition of their commutation. Additionally, the bill clarifies the conditions for sanctioning individuals who violate their sentences and emphasizes the necessity of risk assessments for felony convictions.

Moreover, the bill expands the clemency and pardons board from five to ten members, ensuring diversity in appointments, including those with lived experiences related to incarceration. It allows for compensation for board members and mandates training on racial equity and restorative justice every two years. The bill outlines a structured process for reviewing commutation and pardon petitions, requiring public hearings and notifications, while also permitting expedited reviews in urgent situations. It introduces annual reporting requirements for the board to the governor and legislature regarding its activities and clarifies that clemency applicants are eligible regardless of immigration status. Notably, a provision that would have made the bill null and void without specific funding was vetoed by the governor, allowing the act to proceed without designated budgetary allocations.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 9.94A.501, 9.94A.717, 9.94A.633, 9.94A.728, 9.94A.880
Substitute Bill: 9.94A.501, 9.94A.717, 9.94A.633, 9.94A.728, 9.94A.880
Second Substitute: 9.94A.501, 9.94A.717, 9.94A.633, 9.94A.728, 9.94A.880
Engrossed Second Substitute: 9.94A.501, 9.94A.717, 9.94A.633, 9.94A.728, 9.94A.880
Bill as Passed Legislature: 9.94A.501, 9.94A.717, 9.94A.633, 9.94A.728, 9.94A.880
Session Law: 9.94A.501, 9.94A.717, 9.94A.633, 9.94A.728, 9.94A.880