The bill amends several sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) concerning public defense services, specifically RCW 10.101.050, 10.101.060, 10.101.070, and 10.101.080. It introduces new provisions allowing counties and cities to apply for funding to enhance public defense services, with requirements for training and reporting. Counties and cities must follow application procedures set by the office of public defense and demonstrate improvements in service quality for both juveniles and adults. Additionally, counties with low population density can request the office of public defense to take over the provision of public defense services, with funding retained by the office for this purpose.

The bill also outlines the distribution of funds, allocating 90% as "county moneys" based on the annual number of cases filed in courts under the county's jurisdiction, and 10% as "city moneys" based on misdemeanor cases. The office of public defense is responsible for monitoring trial-level public defense services, establishing eligibility standards, and ensuring consistent data collection statewide. It mandates the office to examine strategies to reduce public defense caseloads, report on unrepresented accused individuals, and make recommendations for retaining experienced public defenders. The office of the administrator for the courts is required to collect data on cases assigned to public defenders for inclusion in its annual report. The provisions of this act will take effect on January 1, 2027, and will become null and void if specific funding is not provided by June 30, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 10.101.050, 10.101.060, 10.101.070
Substitute Bill: 10.101.050, 10.101.060, 10.101.070, 10.101.080
Second substitute: 10.101.050, 10.101.060, 10.101.070, 10.101.080