We’re at crunch time in the legislative session! To stay alive, all bills must pass out of policy committees by 2/21, fiscal committees by 2/28, and be voted out of their house of origin by 3/12. The clock is ticking, and every action matters.
We know there are a lot of action alerts coming your way, but your voice is crucial at every step—to support good bills and stop harmful ones. Signing in and having your position noted for the record takes just seconds but makes a big impact. Below are the priority bills that need your support or opposition. Take action now!
SB 5231: Connecting Families Act
Incarcerated individuals depend on phone calls and electronic messaging to stay connected with loved ones, which is essential for successful reintegration. However, high costs often limit these connections. Civil Survival, in partnership with the Connecting Families Washington coalition, is working to make phone calls free for those in Washington prisons.
Hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means on Monday 2/24 at 1:30PM.
Ways to Support
- SB 5231 – Sign in PRO here by 12:30 PM on 2/24 to have your position noted for the record.
- Watch the hearing here on Monday 2/24 at 1:30 PM
HB 1125: The Judicial Discretion Act
The Judicial Discretion Act allows judges to reduce peoples’ long sentences if their ongoing incarceration no longer serves the public good. This bill can reduce racial disparities in prisons, reduce the harms of long-term imprisonment, increase public safety, better serve survivors, and use state resources more effectively.
Hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations on Saturday 2/22 at 9:00 AM.
Ways to Support
- Sign in PRO here by 8:00 PM on 2/22 to have your position noted for the record.
- Watch the hearing here on Saturday 2/22 at 9:00 AM
HB 1274: Juvenile Points – Retroactivity
This Juvenile Points Retroactivity bill builds on already passed legislation (EHB 1324), which prospectively stopped the practice of punishing people twice for crimes they committed as children. HB 1274 aligns our judicial system with established modern brain science, advances racial justice, and promotes fairness in sentencing by making that policy change apply retroactively.
Hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations on Saturday 2/22 at 9:00 AM.
Ways to Support
- Sign in PRO here by 8:00 PM on 2/22 to have your position noted for the record.
- Watch the hearing here on Saturday 2/22 at 9:00 AM
SB 5278: Concerning the management of individuals who are placed in juvenile rehabilitation institutions
UPDATE: THIS HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM OPPOSING TO SUPPORTING!!!!! The JR to 25 policy recognizes that young people have unique developmental needs and rehabilitation potential. However, overcrowding and inadequate services in JR should be addressed through investment, not harmful transfers to DOC. Advocates have been working with lawmakers to address the harm in the original bill, and introduced positive amendments that have moved support from CON to PRO for this bill. If you have already signed in CON, please sign in again as PRO!
Hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means on Monday 2/24 at 1:30 PM
Ways to Support