WA HB1591

Courts may reduce incarceration or impose alternative sentences for defendants who were victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking at the time of their offense, if the abuse was a significant contributing factor to the crime and standard sentencing would be unduly harsh

Currently incarcerated individuals serving sentences of at least 8 years may petition for resentencing if they meet the domestic violence/abuse survivor criteria, with petitions requiring at least two pieces of corroborating evidence

Courts gain discretion to depart downward from mandatory minimum sentences and sentencing enhancements for qualifying survivors, except for aggravated first degree murder, first degree murder, homicide by abuse, terrorist offenses, and sex offenses requiring registration

Defendants discharged from sentences may apply to vacate conviction records if abuse was a significant contributing factor to the crime and collateral consequences create an unduly harsh burden, with courts authorized to waive standard vacation restrictions

Victims and survivors of homicide victims must be notified of resentencing petitions and given opportunity to present statements at hearings