The bill amends several sections of Washington state law concerning crime victim penalty assessments, establishing a $500 penalty for felony or gross misdemeanor convictions and a $250 penalty for misdemeanor convictions, with certain exceptions for motor vehicle crimes. It prohibits courts from imposing these penalties on indigent defendants unless they are convicted of specific offenses, such as domestic violence or sex offenses against children. Additionally, the bill allows for the waiver of penalty assessments imposed before July 1, 2023, under specific conditions, including the defendant being a juvenile or unable to pay, provided the conviction is not for a domestic violence or sex offense against a child. The bill also mandates that funds collected from these assessments be used to support programs for crime victims and witnesses.

Furthermore, the bill addresses the enforcement of outpatient mental health treatment orders and the management of legal financial obligations (LFOs) for offenders. It emphasizes prioritizing treatment availability and the least restrictive means of ensuring participation, with civil detention preferred over incarceration in cases where an offender's lack of care poses a risk of serious harm. The bill outlines provisions for noncompliance with LFOs, requiring the state to prove willfulness in nonpayment and clarifying that homeless or mentally ill individuals are not considered willfully noncompliant. It also introduces new legal language stating that penalty assessments cannot be reduced, waived, or converted to community restitution hours except as authorized, while allowing courts to modify payment terms based on the offender's financial situation. Overall, the bill aims to create a more equitable approach to managing offenders' financial obligations while considering their mental health and socioeconomic status.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 7.68.035, 9.92.060, 9.94A.6333, 9.94B.040, 9.95.210, 10.99.020