Bill > HB1499

This bill addresses legal financial obligations (LFOs) in the Washington state criminal justice system, making significant reforms to reduce financial burdens on defendants, especially those who are low-income. The bill eliminates many existing court costs and fees, modifies the definition of indigency to be more inclusive, and prevents courts from imposing financial penalties on individuals who cannot afford to pay. Key provisions include: automatically nullifying previously imposed judgments for certain costs and fees, expanding the definition of indigency to include people with household incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level, prohibiting additional fees for payment plans, preventing interest from accruing on legal financial obligations, and removing mandatory assessments for probation or deferred prosecution programs. The bill also repeals several existing statutes related to court fees and costs, effectively streamlining and reducing financial barriers in the criminal justice system. The changes aim to prevent low-income individuals from being trapped in a cycle of debt and make the legal system more equitable by recognizing that many defendants simply cannot afford additional financial burdens.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1499&Year=2025&Initiative=false