Session Update: Senate Passes Bill Funding Judiciary, Public Safety

With support from all three caucuses, the Judiciary and Public Safety omnibus budget bill passed the Senate on a vote of 44-23 Thursday, April 15.

The bill includes changes to sexual assault laws, including closure of the mental incapacitation loophole that made it difficult for rapists to be charged if their victims had voluntarily consumed alcohol. Other elements of the bill that earned wide support involve the creation of an exit program that would provide prescription, housing and other services to people leaving incarceration and a new policy for pregnant inmates that would allow them to receive specialized services to help mother and baby get off to a better start. Amendments to remove the statute of limitations for rape victims and to expand a restorative justice program statewide for veterans suffering from service-related PTSD were added during floor debate.

Policy proposals to increase the reporting of crimes motivated by bias and to require the POST Board to prohibit peace officers from affiliating with white supremacy groups failed to gain approval. An amendment to create an office to track and health and welfare of indigenous women and girls also failed.