H-0460.1
HOUSE BILL 1250
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Barnard, Goodman, and Davis
Prefiled 01/10/25. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
AN ACT Relating to facilitating law enforcement and corrections agency accreditation; adding a new section to chapter 36.28A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 10.93 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that law enforcement and corrections agency accreditation improves the public service of public safety and is beneficial to both law enforcement and corrections officers, and the communities they serve. Accreditation assists agencies to operate under industry best practices and standards, which leads to improvements in officer morale, retention and recruitment, and a reduction in negative interactions between law enforcement and citizens. According to the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs, only about 25 percent of law enforcement agencies, and even fewer corrections agencies, are accredited. The legislature intends to facilitate accreditation by more law enforcement and corrections agencies.
(2) The legislature also finds that the criminal justice training commission has recognized certain state and national law enforcement accrediting entities, and the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs is the only Washington entity recognized by the commission for law enforcement accreditation. The association also accredits corrections agencies.