The Senate Law & Justice Committee took public testimony this week on a proposal to streamline the process of determining a charged individual’s receipt of public assistance.

SB 6215, sponsored by Sen. John Braun (R–Centralia), requires the Office of Public Defense in collaboration with the Department of Social and Health Services and the Health Care Authority to develop a process for reporting to the county court system on an individual’s level of public assistance. This information will enable judges to better determine a charged individual’s eligibility for indigent defense.

Dates to remember

SB 6215 is scheduled for executive session in the Senate Law & Justice Committee at 10 am on Thursday, January 30.