Allowing persons who complete substance abuse programs to seek dismissal of certain controlled substance related charges.

 S-1474.2

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5290

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2025 Regular Session

By Senate Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Salomon, Dhingra, Nobles, Saldaña, Trudeau, and Valdez)

READ FIRST TIME 02/21/25.

AN ACT Relating to allowing persons who complete substance abuse programs to seek dismissal of certain controlled substance related charges; adding a new section to chapter 69.50 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that across the country 12 states, including Washington, either through statute or court rule, permit courts to dismiss criminal charges in the interest of justice. These laws and court rules emphasize the inherent power of courts to govern their own courtrooms, including the capacity and duty of courts to rule on cases to promote justice. This authority increases transparency in the criminal legal process and permits courts to respond to not only penal ramifications of a sentence, but also the loss of civil privileges that accompany a criminal conviction.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 69.50 RCW to read as follows: