HB2389 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Criminal offenses under 18.

What is the status of HB2389?

In committee as of February 19, 2026. Latest action: House Rules "X" file. (February 19, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2389?

Julio Cortes (D), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2389?

On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2389&Year=2025

Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session

Washington HB2389: Criminal offenses under 18

Q: What does HB2389 do?

In its own words: An act Relating to modifying provisions related to individuals found to have committed criminal offenses when under the age of 18 by increasing alternatives to confinement and modifying placement options for those in confinement; amending RCW 13.40.160, 13.40.165, 13.40.185, 13.40.0357, 13.40.210, 13.40.230, 13.40.300, 9.92.151, 13.40.193, 13.40.308, 13.40.020, 13.40.460, 72.65.200, 72.05.420, 13.40.215, 72.01.410, 13.40.280, 13.40.205, and 72.01.412; adding a new section to chapter 13.40 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 72.01 RCW; and creating new sections. NEW SECTION.

Status: In committee, February 19, 2026

Modifying provisions related to individuals found to have committed criminal offenses when under the age of 18.

What the bill says

An act Relating to modifying provisions related to individuals found to have committed criminal offenses when under the age of 18 by increasing alternatives to confinement and modifying placement options for those in confinement; amending RCW 13.40.160, 13.40.165, 13.40.185, 13.40.0357, 13.40.210, 13.40.230, 13.40.300, 9.92.151, 13.40.193, 13.40.308, 13.40.020, 13.40.460, 72.65.200, 72.05.420, 13.40.215, 72.01.410, 13.40.280, 13.40.205, and 72.01.412; adding a new section to chapter 13.40 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 72.01 RCW; and creating new sections. NEW SECTION.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT Relating to modifying provisions related to individuals found to have committed criminal offenses when under the age of 18 by increasing alternatives to confinement and modifying placement options for those in confinement; amending RCW 13.40.160, 13.40.165, 13.40.185, 13.40.0357, 13.40.210, 13.40.230, 13.40.300, 9.92.151, 13.40.193, 13.40.308, 13.40.020, 13.40.460, 72.65.200, 72.05.420, 13.40.215, 72.01.410, 13.40.280, 13.40.205, and 72.01.412; adding a new section to chapter 13.40 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 72.01 RCW; and creating new sections. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that despite significant reductions in youth crime in the past 15 years, racial disparities continue to persist, with Black, Latino, and indigenous youth overrepresented in juvenile court filings, adjudications, and admissions to state juvenile prison. (2) The legislature further finds that Washington remains the only state in the country with a presumptive sentencing grid for all youth offenders. Most other states either consider individualized factors, or use a sentencing grid based on risk levels or for certain offenses. (3) The legislature further finds that Washington's juvenile sentencing grid was established in 1978, and has rarely been changed, despite significant advances in our understanding of youth development, brain science, and effective alternatives to secure incarceration. (4) The legislature further finds that black youth are 27 times more likely than white youth to be charged with a robbery …

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Washington HB2389: Criminal offenses under 18

What the bill says

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