SHB 2430
In CommitteeHouse
Crime victim penalty assess.
Concerning the crime victim penalty assessment.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill establishes a $500 or $250 crime victim penalty assessment on individuals convicted of felonies/gross misdemeanors or misdemeanors, respectively, and on those whose bail is forfeited. It creates exemptions for indigent individuals (except for certain serious offenses), allows retroactive waivers, and directs all collected funds to support comprehensive crime victim and witness programs. The assessment cannot be reduced or waived except under specified conditions.
- Imposes a $500 crime victim penalty assessment per case for convictions involving felonies or gross misdemeanors, and $250 per case for convictions involving only misdemeanors.
- Exempts certain motor vehicle crimes (e.g., driving under the influence, reckless driving) from the assessment, but includes serious offenses like vehicular homicide and driving while license suspended.
- Allows courts to waive the assessment for indigent defendants, except for convictions involving domestic violence, sex offenses against children, or crimes against persons.
- Permits retroactive waiver of assessments imposed before July 1, 2023, for individuals who were juveniles at the time or who lack ability to pay (excluding serious offenses).
- Requires all collected assessments to be deposited into county crime victim funds for comprehensive victim/witness support programs, with state approval required for program designation.
- Prohibits courts from reducing, waiving, or converting the crime victim penalty assessment to community service hours—except under specific waiver provisions in the bill.
Who is affected
- People convicted of crimes — Individuals convicted of felonies or gross misdemeanors will be assessed a $500 crime victim penalty assessment per case; those convicted only of misdemeanors will be assessed $250 per case, unless they qualify for an exemption.
- People who post and forfeit bail — Individuals who post bail and have it forfeited may be assessed the same penalty as if they had been convicted, unless they qualify for an exemption (e.g., indigency or certain serious offenses).
- Indigent individuals — People who are indigent (as legally defined) may be exempt from the assessment unless convicted of domestic violence, a sex offense against a child, or a crime against persons—these exemptions do not apply to those groups.
- Crime victims and witnesses — Victims and witnesses of crime benefit through funding for comprehensive support programs, which counties must approve and administer with state oversight.
- County and municipal governments — Counties and cities must collect and transmit penalty assessments to the state for distribution to crime victim support programs, increasing administrative responsibilities for court clerks and prosecutors.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
Creates a dedicated funding stream for comprehensive crime victim and witness programs—including services for all crime types, restitution assistance, and support for victims in adjudication and L&I claims—which strengthens community safety infrastructure and improves access to justice for vulnerable populations.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(6)Allows courts to waive the assessment for indigent defendants and provides retroactive relief for juveniles or those unable to pay—reducing long-term debt traps and promoting fairness in legal financial obligations for low-income Washingtonians.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1(4)(a), (5)Mandates that victim support programs assist victims in preparing claims to the Department of Labor & Industries—improving access to medical and wage-loss benefits for victims of violent crime, especially those without private insurance or employer coverage.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1(6)Requires county programs to make reasonable efforts to inform victims of their rights and application procedures—enhancing transparency and participation in the justice system for survivors, particularly those historically marginalized or unaware of available services.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(6)(e)Encourages comprehensive services for victims of all crimes—with emphasis on serious offenses—potentially supporting school-based or community education initiatives that promote trauma-informed responses and prevent re-victimization.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(6)(a)
Potential Concerns (5)
Imposes a $500 or $250 per-case penalty assessment on individuals convicted of crimes or whose bail is forfeited, which creates a new financial burden on people with criminal convictions—especially those with low incomes—since the assessment is mandatory unless they qualify for a narrow indigency exemption that excludes serious offenses like domestic violence or crimes against children.
FinancialIndustryRef: Sec. 1(1), (3), (6)Exemptions for indigent individuals explicitly exclude convictions for domestic violence, sex offenses against children, or crimes against persons—meaning even genuinely indigent individuals in those categories remain liable for the full assessment, effectively criminalizing poverty for these groups by denying meaningful ability-to-pay review.
Rights & LibertiesIndustryRef: Sec. 1(4)(b)Creates administrative burdens for counties—requiring courts to track assessments, process waiver requests, and submit plans to the state for approval—while threatening fund reversion to the state general fund if counties fail to meet deadlines, potentially diverting local discretion and resources.
Local GovernmentIndustryRef: Sec. 1(5), (6)Exempts most motor vehicle crimes (e.g., DUI, reckless driving) from the assessment, but includes serious offenses like vehicular homicide—creating an inconsistent policy where victims of less severe crashes receive no dedicated funding, undermining equitable support for all crime victims.
Public SafetyIndustryRef: Sec. 1(2), (6)Requires cities and towns to remit 1.75% of non-parking revenue retained under municipal court operations to county crime victim funds—effectively imposing a new fee on local governments that may strain municipal budgets, especially in smaller jurisdictions with limited court revenue streams.
Business & EmploymentIndustryRef: Sec. 1(6), (9)
Who Is Most Affected
People convicted of crimes—especially low-income individuals—face new financial liability unless they qualify for narrow exemptions; those convicted of domestic violence, sex offenses against children, or crimes against persons are denied indigency waivers, increasing risk of debt-based incarceration.
Victims of crime benefit from a new, dedicated funding source for comprehensive support services—including counseling, restitution assistance, and L&I claim support—potentially improving access to healing and justice, especially for survivors of violent crime.
Counties face new administrative duties—tracking assessments, processing waivers, and submitting program plans—while risking fund reversion to the state if deadlines are missed, straining local court and prosecutorial resources.
Low-income individuals who are indigent may benefit from waiver provisions, but those convicted of certain serious offenses remain liable regardless of ability to pay—creating inequity and potential hardship for vulnerable populations.
People who post and forfeit bail face the same assessment as convicted individuals unless exempt—potentially burdening those who cannot afford bail but are not yet convicted, especially if they later acquire indigent status post-forfeiture.