Bill > HB1956

This bill addresses the workforce shortage of public defense attorneys and professional staff by creating two new programs administered by the Office of Public Defense. First, the bill establishes a training program for new public defense mitigation specialists and paralegals, which will provide comprehensive instruction on public defense standards, client communication, and ethical guidelines, with an emphasis on offering networking opportunities and recruiting from justice-impacted and formerly incarcerated populations. The training can be delivered in-person or remotely and must include at least one class for paralegals and one for mitigation specialists by June 30, 2027. Second, the bill creates a paralegal support pool designed to assist solo practitioners, small law firms, and postconviction representation attorneys, with a goal of having at least 10 full-time paralegals available by June 30, 2027. The procurement for these paralegal positions will specifically seek candidates from justice-impacted and formerly incarcerated backgrounds. The underlying motivation for these initiatives is to remove barriers to public defense practice, particularly in underserved areas, and ensure constitutional rights to counsel and due process are effectively maintained. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and is subject to available appropriations.

Justice

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1956&Year=2025&Initiative=false