Bill > HB1592

This bill focuses on reforming public defense services in Washington state by establishing a shared funding responsibility between the state, counties, and cities beginning in fiscal year 2026. The state will be responsible for 50 percent of public defense services costs based on a five-year average of actual expenditures, with the state covering any costs that exceed this average. Counties and cities will be required to provide detailed reporting on public defense services, including case statistics, attorney caseloads, and billable hours. The bill introduces new requirements for counties and cities to receive funding, such as designating a public defense coordinator, requiring attorneys to attend training, and maintaining standards for indigent defense services. For counties with low population density, the Office of Public Defense may assume responsibility for providing public defense services. The bill also mandates that the Office of Public Defense examine and make recommendations to reduce public defense caseloads and backlogs, and requires the Office of the Administrator for the Courts to collect and report data on cases assigned to public defenders. The goal is to improve the quality, efficiency, and consistency of public defense services across the state while providing more financial support from the state level.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1592&Year=2025&Initiative=false