HB 2533 and SB 5854 modify legal procedures and criteria for releasing sexually violent predators into less restrictive alternative placements.

Under current law, sexually violent predators who are civilly committed after serious sexual offenses may petition the court for release into supervised community settings rather than total confinement. These bills, sponsored by Rep. Kristine Reeves (D–Federal Way) and Sen. Mark Schoesler (R–Ritzville), would revise those procedures.

The bill clarifies and strengthens criteria that courts must consider before approving release, including treatment compliance, risk assessments, and community safety factors. It also adds clearer requirements for supervision, such as electronic monitoring and location restrictions, and empowers a jurisdiction outside of the county of commitment to reject a proposed placement in that jurisdiction.

Lastly, the bill aims to create an option for local jurisdictions that bear a disproportionate share of sexually violent predators to review and weigh in on a placement before it happens.

These important bills face a tight calendar to get a public hearing this legislative session, which will see its first policy cutoff deadline next week on February 4.