Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5520: Wrongly convicted persons
Status: Signed into law, March 25, 2026
Concerning the wrongly convicted persons act.
What the bill says
An act Relating to reforming the wrongly convicted persons act; amending RCW 4.100.030, 4.100.040, 4.100.050, 4.100.060, 4.100.070, 4.100.080, 4.100.090, and 28B.15.395; adding a new section to chapter 4.100 RCW; and repealing RCW 4.100.020. NEW SECTION.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to reforming the wrongly convicted persons act; amending RCW 4.100.030, 4.100.040, 4.100.050, 4.100.060, 4.100.070, 4.100.080, 4.100.090, and 28B.15.395; adding a new section to chapter 4.100 RCW; and repealing RCW 4.100.020. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 4.100 RCW to read as follows: The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Actually innocent" describes a person for whom a preponderance of all the evidence no longer supports a finding that the person engaged in conduct that is the basis for a felony charged in the charging document. (2) "Significant new exculpatory information" means any information, without regard to its admissibility in court, and (b) Was not considered by the finder of fact at trial or in a plea hearing before conviction. (3) "Wrongly convicted" means a person who was charged, convicted, and imprisoned for one or more felonies of which he or she is actually innocent. Sec. 2. RCW 4.100.030 and 2013 c 175 s 3 are each amended to read as follows: (1) Any person convicted in superior court and subsequently imprisoned for one or more felonies of which he or she is actually innocent may file a claim for compensation from the state. (2) If a person entitled to file a claim under …
Sponsors
- Tina Orwall (D) · primary sponsor
- Noel Frame (D)
- Robert Hasegawa (D)
- Liz Lovelett (D)
- Rebecca Saldaña (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 224, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : Speaker signed.
- : President signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 31; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Senate concurred in House amendments.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 72; nays, 23; absent, 0; excused, 3.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 9, 2026): 31 yea, 18 nay, passed
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 6, 2026): 72 yea, 23 nay, passed
- House Committee on Appropriations: Do pass as amended (March 2, 2026): 23 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary: Do pass (February 25, 2026): 11 yea, 2 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 16, 2026): 31 yea, 18 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Law & Justice: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5520 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (January 29, 2026): 5 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: CIVIL ACTIONS AND PROCEDURE
Common questions
- What is SB5520?
- SB5520 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Wrongly convicted persons.
- What does SB5520 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to reforming the wrongly convicted persons act; amending RCW 4.100.030, 4.100.040, 4.100.050, 4.100.060, 4.100.070, 4.100.080, 4.100.090, and 28B.15.395; adding a new section to chapter 4.100 RCW; and repealing RCW 4.100.020. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB5520?
- Signed into law as of March 25, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 25, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5520?
- Tina Orwall (D), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5520?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5520&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.