H-3228.1
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2389
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2026 Regular Session
By House Early Learning & Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Cortes, Bergquist, Thomas, Parshley, Ortiz-Self, Lekanoff, Ryu, Reed, Scott, Obras, Street, Taylor, Gregerson, Ormsby, Goodman, Farivar, Macri, Fosse, and Hill)
READ FIRST TIME 02/03/26.
AN ACT Relating to modifying provisions related to individuals found to have committed criminal offenses when under the age of 18 by increasing alternatives to confinement and modifying placement options for those in confinement; amending RCW 13.40.160 , 13.40.165 , 13.40.185 , 13.40.0357 , 13.40.210 , 13.40.230 , 13.40.300 , 9.92.151 , 13.40.193 , 13.40.308 , 13.40.020 , 13.40.460 , 72.65.200 , 72.05.420 , 13.40.215 , 72.01.410 , 13.40.280 , 13.40.205 , and 72.01.412 ; adding a new section to chapter 13.40 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 72.01 RCW; and creating new sections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that despite significant reductions in youth crime in the past 15 years, racial disparities continue to persist, with Black, Latino, and indigenous youth overrepresented in juvenile court filings, adjudications, and admissions to state juvenile prison.
(2) The legislature further finds that Washington remains the only state in the country with a presumptive sentencing grid for all youth offenders. Most other states either consider individualized factors, or use a sentencing grid based on risk levels or for certain offenses.