The bill addresses the ongoing shortage of attorneys in Washington State, particularly in public defense and prosecution roles, which has been highlighted through various legislative testimonies and studies. It emphasizes the need for increased access to legal services for low and moderate-income residents, as previous studies have shown that these groups often struggle to afford legal assistance. The bill advocates for the reinstatement and expansion of the limited license legal technician program, which was established in 2012 to allow certain individuals to provide limited legal assistance in specific areas of law.

The proposed actions include reversing the sunset of the limited license legal technician program, allowing new licenses to be issued to qualified candidates, and expanding the program to include assistance in administrative law, eviction, and debt matters. Additionally, the bill calls for the formation of a work group to explore how limited license legal technicians can assist individuals charged with offenses in courts of limited jurisdiction, with recommendations for further program expansion to be delivered within two years.