The bill addresses the critical shortage of public defense attorneys and professional staff in Washington State, aiming to enhance recruitment and retention efforts. It recognizes the barriers that hinder the entry of new attorneys and staff into public defense roles, particularly in underserved areas. To combat this issue, the bill introduces several new sections to chapter 2.70 RCW, which include the establishment of a training program for public defense mitigation specialists and paralegals, as well as the creation of a paralegal support pool for contracted counsel. The training program will focus on public defense standards, client communication, and ethical practices, while also providing networking opportunities and outreach to justice-impacted individuals.

Additionally, the bill mandates that by June 30, 2027, the Office of Public Defense must offer training to at least one class of paralegals and mitigation specialists and establish a paralegal pool with at least 10 full-time paralegals. The procurement process for this paralegal pool will prioritize outreach to individuals with relevant training or experience, particularly those who have been justice-impacted. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.