Bill > SB5913

This bill clarifies the standards for public defense services that local jurisdictions (counties and cities) must adopt. The legislation requires these jurisdictions to establish comprehensive guidelines for public defense, including compensation for defense attorneys, their duties and responsibilities, caseload limits, management of expert witness fees and associated costs, administrative expenses, support services, attorney activity reporting, training, supervision, attorney monitoring and evaluation, contract assignment rules, limitations on private practice for contract attorneys, attorney qualifications, client complaint procedures, contract termination conditions, and non-discrimination policies. The key change in this bill removes language that previously suggested the Washington State Bar Association's standards should serve as guidelines, and instead now instructs local legislative authorities to, when practicable, align their standards with Washington State court rules for public defense services. The bill allows local jurisdictions to incorporate provisions from the bar association's standards as long as those provisions do not conflict with established court rules, providing more flexibility while maintaining professional standards for public defense services.

Justice

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5913&Year=2025&Initiative=false