H-1080.1
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1101
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By House Community Safety (originally sponsored by Representatives Jacobsen and Klicker)
READ FIRST TIME 02/03/25.
AN ACT Relating to vehicular homicide offenses; amending RCW 9.94A.030 and 9.94A.030 ; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the crime of vehicular homicide is a class A felony offense which may be committed under one of three different circumstances: While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug; in a reckless manner; or with disregard for the safety of others. A vehicular homicide committed while under the influence or in a reckless manner is currently classified as a violent offense, making it ineligible for a first-time offender waiver. However, the Washington state courts have held that a vehicular homicide committed with disregard for the safety of others is not a violent offense. This distinction is inconsistent with the fact that all forms of vehicular homicide are categorized as class A felonies and has resulted in a loophole where some vehicular homicide convictions may be sentenced more leniently despite resulting in the same unconscionable loss of life.
The legislature therefore intends to designate that vehicular homicide committed under any circumstances is a violent offense.