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Bill

Bill

SB 5520

Concerning the wrongly convicted persons act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Noel Frame and 4 co-sponsors

Washington bill establishes procedures for wrongly convicted individuals to obtain compensation, expungement, and institutional accountability for exonerations.

Effective date 6/11/2026.
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Bill Summary · SB 5520

Legislative bill overview

SB 5520 establishes procedures and protections for individuals who have been wrongly convicted and exonerated. The bill likely addresses compensation, record expungement, and institutional accountability for wrongful convictions in Washington State.

Why is this important

Wrongful convictions carry severe consequences—lost years, damaged reputation, financial hardship, and psychological trauma. This legislation provides a legal framework to remedy these harms and acknowledge systemic failures, which affects both individual justice and public confidence in the legal system.

Potential points of contention

  • Compensation amounts and eligibility criteria: Disagreement over what constitutes adequate restitution and how to determine which exonerees qualify (murder convictions vs. other felonies, timeline requirements, etc.)
  • Scope of record relief: Debate over whether expungement should be automatic, broad, or limited; what records get sealed and what remains accessible
  • Fiscal impact: Concerns about state budget liability, especially if multiple exonerees pursue claims simultaneously or if compensation is set at high levels
  • Institutional accountability: Whether the bill assigns responsibility to specific agencies (courts, prosecutors, police) and what corrective measures they must implement

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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