The bill amends RCW 7.105.352 to establish a program for the issuance of protection order hope cards, which may be in a scannable electronic format. The administrative office of the courts is tasked with developing this program in collaboration with various judicial and law enforcement associations, as well as victim advocacy groups. The hope cards will contain essential information such as the names and dates of birth of both the restrained and protected persons, as well as details about the protection order itself. Notably, the bill allows for the hope card to be requested from the administrative office of the courts hope card program prior to the expiration of the order, rather than solely from the issuing court.

Additionally, the bill specifies that individuals requesting a hope card will not be charged a fee for its issuance. It clarifies that a hope card holds the same legal effect as the underlying protection order. A new provision states that if specific funding for the act is not provided by June 30, 2025, the act will become null and void. The amendments also remove certain details previously required on the hope card, streamlining the information to be included.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 7.105.352
Substitute Bill: 7.105.352