This legislation modernizes Washington State’s sentencing laws by recognizing the impact of human trafficking and other forms of gender-based violence on survivors who are criminalized as a result of their abuse. It allows courts to consider whether a person’s criminal conduct was significantly influenced by prior victimization and, when appropriate, impose reduced sentences, alternative penalties, or grant resentencing for individuals who have served lengthy prison terms.

HB 1591 also provides survivors with a pathway to vacate certain convictions when abuse substantially contributed to the offense, helping remove long-term barriers to housing, employment, and stability.

At the same time, the legislation strengthens public safety by expanding community custody for repeat domestic violence offenders, enhancing penalties for firearm-related crimes, and establishing mandatory minimum sentences for the most serious offenses, including murder and rape.

Together, these reforms promote a more just, trauma-informed system that supports survivors while maintaining strong accountability for violent crime.