WA HB1893

Creates a cause of action allowing persons injured by individuals released pretrial to sue superior, district, or municipal court judges who declined to impose reasonable bail for violent offenses, if the judge failed to adequately consider public harm risks

Eliminates judicial immunity as a defense to these lawsuits, explicitly barring judges from claiming absolute immunity for acts performed within their judicial capacity

Requires judges to produce written, published assessments analyzing the defendant's criminal history, risk of future violence, victim vulnerability, and alternatives to detention before releasing violent offense defendants pretrial

Awards prevailing plaintiffs actual damages, nominal damages, costs, and attorneys' fees; if the judge intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly disregarded public harm risk, the judge becomes personally liable for all defense costs and judgment amounts

Amends RCW 4.92.070, 4.92.075, and 4.96.041 to remove state and local government obligation to pay defense costs or satisfy judgments for judges found to have recklessly disregarded public safety; takes effect January 1, 2026