The bill seeks to reinstate parole for individuals incarcerated in Washington State for felony offenses committed on or after July 1, 2027. It allows these individuals to petition the parole board for release after serving at least 60% of their total confinement, with specific eligibility criteria, such as not having prior convictions for crimes committed before the age of 18 or being sentenced to life without parole. To facilitate the implementation of this new parole system, the bill establishes a parole implementation work group that will include representatives from various legal and advocacy organizations, tasked with submitting progress and final reports to the legislature.

In addition to introducing new parole provisions, the bill amends existing laws to clarify the procedures and rights related to parole, including the requirement for community corrections officers to report parole violations and the establishment of fair hearing rights for parolees accused of violations. It also allows for the appointment of attorneys at state expense for indigent individuals during hearings and ensures proper management of funds belonging to discharged prisoners and parolees. The bill emphasizes transparency by mandating that all records reviewed by the parole board be disclosed to relevant parties and that comprehensive minutes of meetings and hearings be publicly posted. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the parole process while balancing the rights of offenders and the interests of society.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 43.18A.030, 9.95.0001, 9.95.017, 9.94A.507, 9.95.115, 9.95.120, 9.95.121, 9.95.435, 9.95.125, 9.95.130, 9.95.280, 9.95.290, 9.95.340, 9.95.350, 9.95.360, 9.95.370, 9.95.422, 9.95.430, 9.95.440, 9.95.900