Bill > SB5530

This bill proposes several significant changes to criminal sentencing and drug-related offenses in Washington state. The bill modifies existing laws to increase penalties for repeat theft offenders, with third-degree theft becoming a class C felony for individuals with two or more prior convictions of specific theft-related crimes within the past five years. Additionally, the bill introduces new sentencing enhancements for property damage and drug-related offenses. For property crimes, courts must impose additional jail time based on the value of property taken or damaged, ranging from one to four years for losses exceeding $50,000, with incremental increases for higher-value losses. For drug offenses, the bill creates new mandatory additional confinement terms for fentanyl-related offenses, with sentences increasing based on the weight of the substance, ranging from three years for amounts over one ounce to 28 years for amounts over 80 kilograms. The bill also classifies fentanyl-related drug offenses as class A felonies and establishes that individuals with three or more prior convictions for drug possession will be charged with a class C felony. These changes aim to address repeat offenses and more seriously punish drug-related and property crimes by implementing more stringent sentencing guidelines.

Justice

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5530&Year=2025&Initiative=false