Bill > SB5256

This bill strengthens victims' rights and participation in hearings conducted by the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) for offenders seeking release or parole. The legislation introduces a new requirement for the board to assess whether an offender has met "conditions of restorative justice" during release hearings for sex offenders, juvenile offenders, and those convicted of aggravated first-degree murder. Specifically, the bill gives victims the explicit right to intervene and object to an offender's release on the record, and requires the board to give "great weight" to victim objections. The board must now make written findings on any victim objections and consider these objections as an indicator that the offender has not sufficiently demonstrated rehabilitation or met restorative justice standards. This applies to various types of hearings, including early release petitions, parole eligibility reviews, and pardon applications. The legislation aims to provide more meaningful input for crime victims in the release decision-making process while maintaining the board's focus on public safety considerations.

Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5256&Year=2025&Initiative=false