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Judges and advocates push for task force to modernize forensic‑mental‑health statutes on competency and insanity
Summary
Senate Bill 5147 would create a two‑year task force to review and modernize Washington's forensic‑mental‑health statutes (Chapter 1077) governing competency to stand trial and criminal insanity, with the goal of improving fairness, reducing stigma in language, and recommending steps to facilitate diversion and effective treatment.
The Law & Justice Committee heard Senate Bill 5147 Jan. 20. The bill would establish a 26‑member task force, staffed by the Department of Social and Health Services, to review statutory provisions related to criminal insanity (not guilty by reason of insanity) and competency to stand trial, recommend statutory clean‑ups and modernization, and propose changes to promote person‑centered language, reduce stigma, and remove barriers to diversion and treatment.
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