H-1341.1
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1396
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By House Community Safety (originally sponsored by Representatives Farivar, Peterson, Davis, Parshley, Reed, Doglio, Pollet, Ormsby, and Hill)
READ FIRST TIME 02/14/25.
AN ACT Relating to increasing transparency and accountability of the office of corrections ombuds through increased involvement of those with lived experience including by establishing an advisory council; amending RCW 43.06C.040 ; adding a new section to chapter 43.06C RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature created the office of the corrections ombuds to serve as an independent and impartial entity to provide oversight, monitoring, and investigation into issues arising within the state's prisons. It was also created to help strengthen procedures and practices that promote the health, safety, welfare, and rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals and reduce the exposure of the department of corrections to litigation. To ensure that the office's work remains focused on addressing the needs of currently incarcerated people, the legislature hereby creates an advisory council composed of community stakeholders, including current and formerly incarcerated people, to provide advice and feedback to the ombuds.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.06C RCW to read as follows: