PRIA Logo™
WashingtonHB 13912025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Improving developmentally appropriate alternatives for youth outside the formal court process.

Sponsored By: Julio Cortes (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Youth diversion can continue after 18

Beginning July 27, 2025, diversion agreements and related proceedings can continue after age 18 while the person is under 21. The offense must have happened before the person’s 18th birthday. Courts cannot terminate a diversion agreement on or after the person’s 21st birthday. At that point, pending charges and motions to terminate the agreement must be dismissed and cannot be brought again.

Youth diversion stays outside criminal history

Beginning July 27, 2025, juvenile diversion does not count as criminal history under Washington’s juvenile justice law. Diversion units no longer must tell youth that their agreement counts as criminal history. The specified changes cover completed agreements and agreements still in effect on or after July 27, 2025. The date of the underlying offense does not limit that coverage.

Parents cannot block youth diversion

Beginning July 27, 2025, parents and guardians cannot block an eligible youth from entering diversion instead of formal court processing. They cannot turn down an agreement on the youth’s behalf. The law does not require the youth to accept diversion.

Juvenile courts must share youth data

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington juvenile courts must send secure detention and diversion data to the state court office at least monthly. Courts must use the statewide court system or secure transmission; diversion records must include the agreement date and outcome. Subject to specific funding, the office must develop shared definitions, outcome measures, and collection methods for formal and informal diversion. It must consult with the state children’s department and juvenile court administrators. Its report is due to legislative committees and the governor by July 1, 2026; this development requirement expires July 1, 2027. The monthly reporting duty has no stated end date.

More diversion activities for young people

Beginning July 27, 2025, youth diversion agreements can include more types of community activities. These include youth development, restorative justice, and educational or informational sessions. Agreements can require up to 20 hours of these sessions at a community agency approved by the diversion unit.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Julio Cortes

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Carolyn Eslick

    Republican • House

  • Chipalo Street

    Democratic • House

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

  • Jamila Taylor

    Democratic • House

  • Joe Timmons

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Jurado Stonier

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Roger Goodman

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Tomiko Santos

    Democratic • House

  • Shaun Scott

    Democratic • House

  • Strom Peterson

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 136 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 45 • No: 4

House vote • 3/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 91 • No: 2 • Other: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/22/2025House

  2. Chapter 140, 2025 Laws.

    4/22/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/17/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/16/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/15/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/14/2025House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/14/2025House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/9/2025House

  10. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/8/2025House

  11. WM - Majority; do pass.

    4/8/2025House

  12. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    4/8/2025House

  13. Referred to Ways & Means.

    3/26/2025House

  14. And refer to Ways & Means.

    3/25/2025House

  15. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/25/2025House

  16. Minority; do not pass.

    3/25/2025House

  17. HS - Majority; do pass.

    3/25/2025House

  18. First reading, referred to Human Services.

    3/7/2025House

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 91; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 5.

    3/5/2025House

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2025House

  21. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    3/5/2025House

  22. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    3/4/2025House

  23. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/28/2025House

  24. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/28/2025House

  25. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/28/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation