Bill > HB1192

This bill modifies disciplinary procedures for individuals in the Washington state corrections system, focusing on how violations are handled in both community custody and confinement settings. The bill establishes a more structured approach to disciplinary hearings, requiring that alleged violations be proven by a "preponderance of the evidence" standard, which means the evidence must show that it is more likely than not that a violation occurred. For community custody violations, the Department of Corrections will create a violation process with defined low and high-level violations, with specific rules about how multiple violations are handled. The bill outlines detailed hearing procedures, including the right of offenders to be present, call witnesses, and appeal sanctions. For serious underlying offenses (like first-degree assault or rape), the bill mandates that offenders be held in total confinement pending a sanction hearing. The legislation also requires the department to link an inmate's behavior and program participation to earned early release days, ensuring that the system is fair, measurable, and transparent. The new provisions aim to provide clearer guidelines for disciplinary actions and protect offenders' procedural rights, with the changes set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1192&Year=2025&Initiative=false