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HB 1945

Establishing an office of the crime victims ombuds.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Burnett and 6 co-sponsors

HB 1945 creates an independent Office of the Crime Victims Ombuds to advocate for victim rights and ensure accountability throughout Washington's criminal justice system.

First reading, referred to Community Safety.
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Bill Summary · HB 1945

Legislative bill overview

HB 1945 establishes a new Office of the Crime Victims Ombuds in Washington state. This office would serve as an independent advocate for crime victims, helping them navigate the criminal justice system and ensuring their rights are upheld throughout legal proceedings.

Why is this important

Crime victims often face barriers in accessing information about their cases, understanding victim compensation programs, and exercising their legal rights. An ombuds office could address systemic gaps by providing free, impartial assistance and holding agencies accountable to victim protection laws already on the books.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding: Creating a new state office requires appropriations; fiscal impact and whether existing victim services could be expanded instead versus creating a parallel bureaucracy
  • Scope of authority: Questions about what enforcement powers the ombuds would have—advisory role only versus ability to mandate changes by law enforcement, prosecutors, or courts
  • Resource allocation: Whether funding should come from general revenues or crime victim penalty assessments, and concerns about diverting resources from direct victim services

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

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