Bill > HB1137

This bill establishes uniform policies and procedures for administrative segregation and disciplinary proceedings within the Washington State Department of Corrections. The bill redefines key terms, including changing "offender" to "incarcerated person" throughout the existing law, and adds a new definition for "administrative segregation" as the temporary removal of an incarcerated person from the general population when they are deemed a potential safety threat. The legislation sets specific guidelines for when administrative segregation can be used, including serious incidents like attempted escape, arson, or assault, and limits its duration. Notably, the bill requires that administrative segregation should be reduced to 15 days or less, with strict protocols for extensions beyond 30 days, including requiring authorization from the secretary and notifications to the corrections ombuds. The bill also establishes important procedural protections in disciplinary hearings, such as presuming the incarcerated person's innocence and requiring hearing officers to articulate evidence supporting their findings. Additionally, the department must publish an annual report detailing administrative segregation use, including the number of placements, reasons, and lengths of stay, with the goal of transparency and continuous improvement in the system.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1137&Year=2025&Initiative=false