Domestic violence reform bill passes Legislature

HB 1517, sponsored by Rep. Roger Goodman (D–Kirkland), is a criminal and clinical reform package for domestic violence (DV). The proposal comes from a broad coalition of stakeholders including judges, prosecutors, defense researchers, advocates, victims, and treatment providers. The purpose of the bill is to orient the state’s DV policy toward one that uses risk assessment and certified therapeutic response for more effective outcomes.

HB 1517 is a lengthy piece of legislation, but these are the key provisions:

• Modifies definitions to distinguish DV between family and household members from intimate partner DV; requires identifying which is involved in criminal cases and protection orders.
• By July 1, 2020, requires development of a new DV risk assessment tool for the Washington ONE risk assessment, including a prediction model.
• The Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress must develop a training curriculum for DV treatment providers by June 30, 2020.
• Establishes requirements for a DV offender participating in deferred prosecution, including firearm surrender, as follows:
  • The court must make specific findings before granting deferred prosecution to a defendant charged with a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor DV offense.
  • A defendant cannot participate in a DV deferred prosecution if they participated in a deferred prosecution program for a prior DV offense, or the original charge for the current misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor DV offense was as a felony offense in superior court.
• Modifies community custody conditions for DV offenders.
• In response to State v. Granath, 190 Wn.2d 548 (2019), clarifies the length of time a DV no-contact order remains in effect when it is a sentencing condition. In addition, the bill allows nonfelony DV sentences—in all courts—to be suspended for up to five years.
• Authorizes enforcement of Canadian civil DV protection orders.

HB 1517 passed both chambers unanimously.