This bill adds a new, temporary section to chapter 9.95 RCW creating the "parole reinstitution work group." The work group must develop a coordinated, comprehensive approach to reinstituting parole in Washington and create criteria for parole eligibility, and must report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate legislative committees by October 1, 2027. The new section expires December 31, 2027. Membership is appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house and must include: a representative of the board (unspecified), a representative of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, a representative of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, a representative of the Washington State Superior Court Judges' Association, three victim advocates, at least three individuals appointed in accordance with RCW 43.18A.020, and a representative of the department (unspecified). The William D. Ruckelshaus Center will provide staff support. The work group is subject to the reporting requirements in RCW 43.18A.030. The bill was read for the first time in the senate on 02/04/26 (bill header). This is a procedural statutory change establishing an advisory work group (a new temporary law), not a change to criminal penalties or the creation of a new crime. The extracted text does not identify which specific "board" or "department" are meant, does not name the "appropriate committees" to receive the report, does not provide a section number within chapter 9.95 RCW, and includes no funding or authority to implement the work group's recommendations.

If enacted, the bill creates a temporary work group that must bring together prosecutors, defense lawyers, superior court judges, victim advocates, a board representative, a department representative, and at least three other appointed individuals to produce a coordinated plan and eligibility criteria for reinstituting parole and report recommendations to the Legislature by October 1, 2027. The William D. Ruckelshaus Center will provide staff support, the group must follow certain reporting rules, and the new section expires December 31, 2027, so the group’s role is advisory and time-limited rather than creating immediate policy or implementation authority. Direct effects fall mainly on the named organizations and appointees, who will need to commit time and staff to meetings and drafting recommendations, and on the Ruckelshaus Center, which must supply support work; there is no provision in the text for funding or for implementing the recommendations, and it is unclear which specific “board,” “department,” or legislative committees are meant or what appointment details RCW 43.18A.020 will require, so the likely outcome is a set of recommendations that could influence future legislation but that by itself does not change parole policy or create new funding.