Bill to amend WA State’s drug possession laws and expand treatment programs progresses

A bill to amend Washington state’s drug possession laws and expand access to pretrial treatment programs passed the Senate Law and Justice Committee Thursday, Washington state Democrats said in a release.

Pretrial Services engage with clients to connect them to social services and support their return to court, according to the Seattle Municipal Court’s website.

These services connect clients with community support to help them reach personal goals and send them text reminders for court dates. They also monitor drug and alcohol use if a client has agreed to abstain from alcohol as a condition of their pretrial release. These services also supervise those who have been assigned electronic home monitoring.

Senate Bill 5536, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson, addresses the state Supreme Court’s 2021 State v. Blake ruling.

State v. Blake ruled that Washington state’s felony drug possession statute was unconstitutional, according to King County’s website.

The legislature established a simple misdemeanor penalty for knowing possession, in 2021, in response to the ruling. It is set to expire on July 1.

“It’s clear we need a new response to drug possession, one that increases access to substance use treatment and emphasizes care over criminalization,” Robinson said. “This bill does just that and is the result of many conversations with community members, law enforcement, local government leaders, behavioral health providers, and more. By investing in support systems based in real solutions like treatment, we can — and will — build healthier communities.”

If passed, SB 5536 would classify knowing possession of a controlled substance, or counterfeit controlled substance, as gross rather than simple misdemeanors. This would ensure that people charged with these offenses would have access to pretrial diversion programs, and provide funding for treatment programs and services. A person could also have their conviction lifted after successfully completing treatment.

The bill now heads to the Senate Ways & Means Committee.