This bill amends existing laws regarding escorted leaves of absence for incarcerated individuals in Washington State. It allows the superintendent of state correctional facilities to grant such leaves for various reasons, including attending the funeral or visiting the bedside of a seriously ill immediate family member, participating in athletic contests, receiving necessary medical or dental care, engaging in community service projects, and participating in reentry programs to prepare for successful reintegration into society. The definition of "immediate family" has been expanded to include a broader range of relatives, such as children, stepchildren, grandparents, and legal spouses or partners.

Additionally, the bill establishes that the secretary will create rules and regulations governing the conditions for granting leaves of absence, ensuring safeguards against escapes. It specifies that leaves granted will not allow incarcerated individuals to leave the state and mandates reimbursement to the state for costs incurred during these leaves, unless the individual and their family are indigent. The language throughout the bill has been updated to replace "inmates" with "incarcerated individuals" to reflect a more modern and respectful terminology.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 72.01.370, 72.01.380
Substitute bill: 72.01.370, 72.01.380