The bill amends Washington state law to significantly increase the crime victim penalty assessment for individuals convicted of crimes, raising the assessment from $500 to $2,000 for felonies and gross misdemeanors, and from $250 to $1,000 for misdemeanors. It introduces provisions for the court to impose additional surcharges to support victim services and facilitate opportunities for defendants to repair harm. The bill also establishes criteria for determining indigence and substantial financial resources, which will influence the imposition of these penalties. Furthermore, it outlines the responsibilities of county prosecuting attorneys in collecting these assessments and mandates that the funds be allocated to programs supporting crime victims and witnesses.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the imposition and collection of legal financial obligations (LFOs), requiring courts to impose a crime victim penalty assessment and potentially other LFOs as part of sentencing. It prohibits ordering costs for indigent offenders and emphasizes restitution to victims as the priority for payment distribution. The bill also addresses enforcement of restitution obligations, allowing for civil enforcement and extending the enforcement time frame. It protects offenders who are homeless or mentally ill from being deemed willfully noncompliant for failure to pay, while ensuring that the crime victim penalty assessment cannot be reduced or converted to community restitution hours except under specific circumstances. Overall, the bill aims to balance accountability for offenders with fair treatment regarding their financial obligations.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 7.68.035, 9.92.060, 9.94A.6333, 9.94A.760, 9.94B.040, 9.95.210, 10.99.020