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 wider range of relatives, such as stepchildren, grandparents, and a person legally married to the incarcerated individual.

Additionally, the bill establishes that the secretary of corrections will create rules and regulations governing the conditions for granting leaves of absence, ensuring safeguards against escapes. It specifies that leaves will not allow individuals to leave the state and mandates reimbursement for the costs incurred during these leaves, unless the incarcerated individual and their family are indigent. Importantly, the bill also states that the state retains full liability for any acts of gross negligence committed by the Department of Corrections during an escorted leave of absence.

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