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, to be administered by the office of public defense, will focus on essential skills such as client communication and ethical standards, while also providing networking opportunities. Additionally, the bill mandates outreach to justice-impacted individuals for recruitment purposes. The paralegal pool will prioritize support for solo practitioners and small law firms, with a goal of having at least ten full-time paralegals by June 30, 2027. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.