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Criminal Justice: creating alternatives – Feb. 5

Representative Roger Goodman (District 45) submitted our Restorative Justice bill (HB 1775) and got House Early Learning & Human Services Chair, Ruth Kagi, to cosponsor. As HB 1775 must be heard and voted out of Early Learning and Human Services before February 21st, Chair Kagi’s support is very important. Senator Nick Harper (District 38)is the prime sponsor of the Senate companion bill (SB 5706).  Senators Sharon Nelson (District 34) and Adam Kline (District 37) are co-sponsors.

These bills define the term “Restorative Justice” as “practices, policies, and programs designed to bring about acceptance of responsibility by offenders for repairing the harm caused by their offense, through bringing together the victim, the offender, their families, and relevant community members.”

 The Review of 3-strikers bill was heard last week.  There was no action this week.  The expected version of the bill would permit review for 3-strikers whose strikes did not go beyond Robbery 2 (i.e., no assaults, no sex crimes). The bill was previously heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee and now needs to be scheduled for Executive Action (voted on).

 Action: Please contact committee members and ask them to support SB 5236 (the 3-strikes reform bill).

There was no action this week on HB 1020: which reinstates 50% earned-release time for nonviolent offenders. The bill was previously heard in the House Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee and now needs to be scheduled for Executive Action (voted on).

There was no action this week on HB 1063: Periodic review for Juveniles sentenced to life without parole. We remain hopeful that a hearing will be scheduled in the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

SB 5456, which replaces the death penalty with life without parole, has been scheduled for a hearing this coming Wednesday, February 9th at 1:30 pm in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

 Action: Friends, and friends of Friends, are encouraged to contact Judiciary committee members to express support for this bill, or—better yet—come to Olympia to testify.

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