Bill > HB1451

This bill concerns the civil commitment and release of sexually violent predators, with several key provisions aimed at improving community safety and the management of less restrictive alternative housing placements. The bill modifies existing laws by introducing more stringent requirements for housing and monitoring sexually violent predators who are conditionally released from total confinement. Specifically, it requires that less restrictive alternative housing must be owned, operated, or contracted by the department of social and health services, mandates electronic monitoring with real-time tracking and programmable zones, and expands distance restrictions from schools, bus stops, and other locations where children congregate. The bill also introduces new procedural requirements for identifying and establishing housing placements, including mandatory community engagement processes such as notifying local government, hosting public meetings, and soliciting feedback from local tribes and educational organizations. Additionally, the bill requires the department to review and potentially revise the "fair share principles" for distributing housing placements, shifting from a county-by-county approach to a regional approach. The changes aim to balance community protection with providing structured rehabilitation opportunities for individuals classified as sexually violent predators.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1451&Year=2025&Initiative=false