Amended legislation creates real-time verification system for courts

Amendments to a Senate bill require a new system for verifying 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 (DSHS) and the Health Care Authority (HCA) to develop an improved process for reporting to county court systems on an individual’s level of public assistance.

Amendments made by the Senate Law & Justice Committee requires DSHS and HCA to develop an online system providing real-time verification of public assistance to the courts. This system would be used in conjunction with the current process of an accused individual self-reporting their level of indigency. The three agencies will also need to provide training to all courts on how to use the system.

An additional amendment removes the requirement that the determination of public assistance be based solely on the information made available through the system established by DSHS and HCA.

SB 6215 is currently with the Senate Rules Committee.