Public defense caseloads

AN ACT Relating to clarifying public defense caseload standards 1
for local jurisdictions; and amending RCW 10.101.030.2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
Sec. 1. RCW 10.101.030 and 2005 c 157 s 2 are each amended to 4
read as follows: 5
Each county or city under this chapter shall adopt standards for 6
the delivery of public defense services, whether those services are 7
provided by contract, assigned counsel, or a public defender office. 8
Standards shall include the following: Compensation of counsel, 9
duties and responsibilities of counsel, case load limits and types of 10
cases, responsibility for expert witness fees and other costs 11
associated with representation, administrative expenses, support 12
services, reports of attorney activity and vouchers, training, 13
supervision, monitoring and evaluation of attorneys, substitution of 14
attorneys or assignment of contracts, limitations on private practice 15
of contract attorneys, qualifications of attorneys, disposition of 16
client complaints, cause for termination of contract or removal of 17
attorney, and nondiscrimination. ((The standards endorsed by the 18
Washington state bar association for the provision of public defense 19
services should serve as guidelines to local legislative authorities 20
in adopting standards )) If practicable, standards adopted by the 21
S-3557.1
SENATE BILL 5913
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Senators Torres, Dozier, and J. Wilson
Prefiled 12/17/25. Read first time 01/12/26. Referred to Committee
on Law & Justice.
p. 1 SB 5913
local legislative authorities shall comply with Washington state 1
court rules for public defense services and may incorporate 2
provisions of standards endorsed by the Washington state bar 3
association that do not conflict with court rules. 4
--- END ---
p. 2 SB 5913