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Evergreen Ledger

ESHB 1815

Signed

House

Prison riot offenses

Concerning prison riot offenses.

How does a bill become law?
  1. Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
  2. Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
  3. Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
  4. Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
  5. Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
  6. Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
Introduced: February 17, 2025
Last Action: April 25, 2025
Status: C 169 L 25
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AI Analysis

This analysis was generated by AI and may contain errors. It is not legal advice. Always refer to the official bill text for authoritative information.
People & CommunitiesPeople-leaningCorporate & Wealthy Interests

This bill allows individuals convicted or adjudicated for prison riot offenses in juvenile detention facilities run by the department of children, youth, and families (DCYF) to have those records vacated (cleared), and provides a path to reduce or eliminate enhanced sentences that were based on those prior DCYF convictions. It also clarifies legal definitions and applies retroactively.

  • Clarifies that 'correctional institution' includes facilities operated by the department of children, youth, and families (DCYF) for certain legal definitions, but excludes them for specific statutes under RCW 9.94.010.
  • Expands eligibility to vacate (clear) a conviction or adjudication for a prison riot offense (under RCW 9.94.010) if the offense occurred in a DCYF facility, allowing individuals to apply for record clearance.
  • Requires courts to vacate convictions or adjudications for prison riot offenses in DCYF facilities upon application, if the person qualifies.
  • Creates a new process for sentence relief for adults and disposition relief for juveniles if a prior DCYF prison riot conviction/adjudication was used to enhance their sentence or disposition.
  • Makes the new provisions retroactive, applying to all past prison riot convictions or adjudications and related charges.

Who is affected

  • People convicted or adjudicated for prison riot offenses in DCYF facilities — Individuals convicted or adjudicated for prison riot offenses in facilities operated by the department of children, youth, and families (DCYF) may now have those records vacated (cleared) or used as grounds for sentence/re disposition review.
  • People sentenced using prior DCYF prison riot convictions — Those sentenced using a prior prison riot conviction from a DCYF facility may seek to have that prior conviction removed from their sentencing calculations.
  • Juvenile offenders with DCYF prison riot adjudications — Juveniles adjudicated in DCYF facilities for prison riot offenses may have those adjudications removed from their dispositions or sentencing enhancements.
  • Prosecutors and sentencing courts — Prosecutors must review cases and may file motions to vacate or reduce sentences for eligible individuals, and courts must act on such motions.
Effective: July 28, 2025Fiscal impact: Potential short-term fiscal impact due to increased court and prosecution workload reviewing and processing motions for relief; long-term savings possible if fewer individuals are sentenced with enhanced penalties based on DCYF prison riot adjudications.
Model: Intel/Qwen3-Coder-Next-int4-AutoRoundGenerated: Mar 20, 2026 at 3:16 AM

Pro/Con Analysis

Stronger case for benefits

Potential Benefits (5)

  • This bill corrects a long-standing inequity: individuals adjudicated in DCYF facilities (which are *not* considered 'correctional institutions' for RCW 9.94.010 purposes) have historically been unable to vacate prison riot adjudications—unlike those convicted in adult or other juvenile facilities—despite similar conduct. Vacating these records restores equal access to relief and removes lifelong legal disabilities (e.g., barriers to employment, housing, and professional licensing) that stem from a juvenile adjudication in a non-traditional facility.

    Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5); Sec. 3 & 4 (sentence/disposition relief); Sec. 5 (retroactivity)

  • By allowing adults and juveniles to seek relief when prior DCYF prison riot adjudications were used to enhance sentences or dispositions, the bill reduces excessive or unjustified sentence lengths—potentially shortening incarceration periods, reducing supervision obligations, and lowering associated costs for individuals and families (e.g., legal fees, lost wages, child care).

    FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 3 & 4 (sentence/disposition relief); Sec. 5 (retroactivity)

  • Juveniles adjudicated in DCYF facilities often face long-term educational disruptions; vacating adjudications and reducing enhanced dispositions may improve access to post-secondary education, vocational training, and financial aid by removing barriers tied to criminal records—especially for those who were adjudicated as minors and later re-entered school or training.

    EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5); Sec. 3 & 4 (relief provisions); Sec. 5 (retroactivity)

  • Removing the legal disability of a vacated prison riot adjudication allows individuals to lawfully answer 'no' on job applications regarding prior convictions—potentially improving employment outcomes and reducing barriers to licensed professions (e.g., cosmetology, construction, healthcare), especially for those whose DCYF adjudication was used to enhance a later adult sentence.

    Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5); Sec. 3 & 4 (relief provisions); Sec. 5 (retroactivity)

  • Vacating DCYF prison riot adjudications removes a barrier to public and subsidized housing, as many housing authorities deny eligibility based on criminal history—particularly important for individuals whose adjudication occurred as juveniles but still triggered long-term housing restrictions.

    HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5); Sec. 3 & 4 (relief provisions); Sec. 5 (retroactivity)
Potential Concerns (3)

  • Reducing or vacating prior prison riot adjudications/convictions may undermine public safety if the underlying conduct involved violence or threats to institutional order—particularly since prison riot offenses under RCW 9.94.010 are defined as engaging in conduct that creates a substantial risk of physical harm to persons or property. Vacating such records could remove a legitimate factor courts use to assess risk and sentence appropriately.

    Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5); Sec. 3, subsection (1)

  • The bill will increase short-term costs for prosecutors and courts as they review motions for sentence/disposition relief, especially in cases where multiple prior DCYF adjudications may have been used to enhance sentences—potentially requiring evidentiary hearings, transcript reviews, and resentencing proceedings.

    Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Fiscal Impact section; Sec. 3 & 4 (new motion-based relief processes)

  • While intended to correct inequity, the retroactive application and automatic vacatur for prison riot offenses may erode accountability for serious institutional misconduct, especially where victims (staff, other youth) were harmed—potentially undermining trust in the juvenile justice system among DCYF staff and formerly incarcerated youth.

    Public SafetyRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5) (vacatur for DCYF prison riot adjudications); Sec. 3 & 4 (sentence relief)

Who Is Most Affected

People convicted or adjudicated for prison riot offenses in DCYF facilitiesPositive Impact

Youth and adults who were adjudicated or convicted of prison riot offenses in DCYF facilities will benefit most directly—many were juveniles at the time, and the adjudication was used to enhance later adult sentences. Vacatur removes legal disabilities and may reduce sentence length, improving life outcomes.

People sentenced using prior DCYF prison riot convictionsPositive Impact

Individuals sentenced as adults using prior DCYF adjudications as sentencing enhancements stand to gain significant sentence reductions—potentially months or years of early release—especially those whose DCYF adjudication was the sole or primary factor in an upward departure.

Juvenile offenders with DCYF prison riot adjudicationsMixed Impact

Juveniles adjudicated in DCYF facilities will benefit from reduced dispositions and removal of adjudications from their records—potentially improving access to education, employment, and housing. However, some may have committed serious violent acts, and relief could be perceived as diminishing accountability.

Prosecutors and sentencing courtsMixed Impact

Prosecutors will face increased workload reviewing motions and potentially filing responses, but may also have discretion to oppose relief where inappropriate. Courts will need to process motions and hold resentencing hearings, requiring judicial resources.

Families of affected individualsPositive Impact

Families of those affected may benefit from reduced financial strain (e.g., legal fees, lost income during incarceration), improved housing stability, and better educational and employment opportunities for their loved ones.