Bill > SB5914

This bill concerns public defense services and makes several key changes to how counties and cities receive state funding for indigent defense. To receive state funds, counties and cities must now require public defense attorneys to attend annual training approved by the Office of Public Defense, report detailed expenditures and case statistics, provide documentation demonstrating compliance with Washington Supreme Court standards, and require attorneys to track and report time spent on each case. Additionally, the bill establishes a gradual increase in state funding for public defense services, starting at 10% in fiscal year 2027 and increasing to 30% by fiscal year 2031. The Office of Public Defense will determine the cost of public defense services annually based on average expenditures reported by counties and cities. The bill also modifies the distribution of funds to prioritize counties with the largest public defense service backlogs and most vacancies, ensuring that funds are allocated to areas with the greatest need for improved indigent defense services.

Justice

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5914&Year=2025&Initiative=false