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• Introduced by Rep. Mike Hope, (R-Lake Stevens) (R) on January 18, 2010, exempts detentions prior to trial for the purpose of assuring public safety from eligibility for bail. (See also SJR 8224).
  • Referred to the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee on January 18, 2010.
    • Substitute offered in the House on January 22, 2010, to provide that for persons charged with a crime who are not released on bail because no condition except detention prior to trial will reasonably assure public safety, the proof of guilt must be evident or the presumption of guilt must be great. The substitute bill also names the act the Lakewood Law Enforcement Memorial Act. The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on January 22, 2010.
• Passed in the House (80 to 17) on February 5, 2010, to propose an amendment to the state Constitution to give judges discretion to deny bail to a person charged with an offense for which the maximum sentence is the possibility of life in prison. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the Senate on February 9, 2010.
  • Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 9, 2010.
    • Amendment offered in the Senate on February 26, 2010, to provide that all persons charged with a crime are entitled to bail except when a person is charged with an offense involving: (1) the intentional death of another; (2) the intentional infliction of great bodily harm on another; (3) a choate sex offense for which the maximum sentence is the possibility of life in prison; or (4) an offense that may result in a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of release upon conviction, or an attempt to accomplish such offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great. The Legislature determines the standards the courts must follow in making decisions on whether to grant bail for persons charged with these types of offenses. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on February 26, 2010.
    • Amendment offered in the Senate on March 4, 2010, the Senate Judiciary Committee amendment was not adopted. The amendment failed in the Senate by voice vote on March 4, 2010.
    • Amendment offered by Sen. Adam Kline, (D-Seattle) (D) on March 4, 2010, provides that bail may be denied for offenses that are punishable by the possibility of life in prison upon a showing by clear and convincing evidence of a propensity for violence that creates a substantial likelihood of danger to the community or any persons. Provides that the legislature sets the limitations for release for courts to follow in making decisions on whether to grant bail on these types of offenses. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on March 4, 2010.
  • Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on February 26, 2010.
• Passed in the Senate (48 to 0) on March 4, 2010, proposes an amendment to the state Constitution to give judges discretion to deny bail to a person charged with an offense for which the maximum sentence is the possibility of life in prison. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the House on March 8, 2010, proposes an amendment to the state Constitution to give judges discretion to deny bail to a person charged with an offense for which the maximum sentence is the possibility of life in prison. Passed in the House (92 to 4) on March 8, 2010. [Vote Details and Comments]