Washington 2021-2022 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 7 D cosponsors

SB 5089 — Concerning peace officer hiring and certification.

Last action — Senate Rules "X" file.

Track this bill free

No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2021-2022 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

225 added · 277 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Bill SB 5089 introduces a requirement that applicants for law enforcement positions must be at least 23 years old and have an associate's degree or equivalent. This change aims to ensure that candidates possess sufficient maturity and life experience, which is particularly important for officers who hold significant responsibilities over public safety. By raising the minimum age, the bill addresses concerns about the developmental readiness of younger individuals to handle the complexities of law enforcement. This amendment reflects a legislative intent to foster a more capable and diverse police force, enhancing public trust in law enforcement.

→
Previous
Latest
S-0697.2 SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5089 State of Washington 67th Legislature 2021 Regular Session By Senate Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Kuderer, Pedersen, Darneille, Das, Dhingra, Hasegawa, Hunt, Liias, Nguyen, and Wilson, C.) READ FIRST TIME 01/29/21.
S-0256.1 SENATE BILL 5089 State of Washington 67th Legislature 2021 Regular Session By Senators Kuderer, Pedersen, Darneille, Das, Dhingra, Hasegawa, Hunt, Liias, Nguyen, and Wilson, C.
Prefiled 01/06/21.
Read first time 01/11/21.
Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
amending RCW 41.12.070, 41.12.100, 41.14.100, 41.14.130, 43.43.020, and 43.43.360;
and amending RCW 41.12.070, 41.12.100, 41.14.100, 41.14.130, 43.43.020, and 43.43.360.
and creating new sections.
NEW SECTION.
The legislature believes the diversity of the police force is essential to maintaining public trust and confidence in the criminal justice system.
With this act, the legislature intends to provide for a diverse workforce with a variety of experiences and backgrounds that will ensure officers have the maturity and empathy to serve the citizens of Washington.
The legislature is persuaded by research evidencing that adolescent brain development continues until a person reaches the age of 26.
Law enforcement officers are entrusted with the tools and ability to effect life and liberty.
We believe that increasing the qualification age of an officer to age 23 will help ensure the requisite maturity for these responsibilities.
Sec.
2.
(1) An applicant for a position of any kind under civil service under the provisions of this chapter((,)) must be a citizen of the p.
(1) An applicant for a position of any kind under civil service under the provisions of this chapter((,)) must be a citizen of the United States of America or a lawful permanent resident who can read and write the English language ((.
1 SSB 5089 United States of America or a lawful permanent resident who can read and write the English language((.
(2) An applicant for a position with a law enforcement agency must be at least 23 years of age and:
(2) An applicant for a position with a law enforcement agency must:
(a) Have an associate of arts or science degree;
(a) Be at least 23 years of age;
(b) Complete an associate of arts or science degree prior to the end of the person's probationary period as provided in RCW 41.12.100;
and (b) Have a degree equivalent to an associate of arts or sciences degree.
or (c) Have two years' full-time experience working in domestic violence services, mental or behavioral health care, homelessness programs, crisis intervention services, or other social services professions.
p.
(3) An application for a position with a law enforcement agency may be rejected if the law enforcement agency deems that it does not have the resources to conduct the background investigation required pursuant to chapter 43.101 RCW.
1 SB 5089 (3) An application for a position with a law enforcement agency may be rejected if the law enforcement agency deems that it does not have the resources to conduct the background investigation required pursuant to chapter 43.101 RCW.
(4)(a) Consistent with the scoring scheme outlined in RCW 41.04.010, a hiring law enforcement agency shall add a maximum of 10 percent to the passing mark, grade, or rating of any applicant for any of the following qualifications:
(4) Consistent with the scoring scheme outlined in RCW 41.04.010, a hiring law enforcement agency shall add a maximum of 10 percent to the passing mark, grade, or rating of any applicant for any of the following qualifications:
(i) Proficiency, as defined by the local jurisdiction, in a language other than English;
(a) Proficiency in a language other than English;
or (ii) Two or more years of professional or volunteer experience in the peace corps, AmeriCorps, domestic violence counseling, mental or behavioral health care, homelessness programs, or other social services professions.
(b) Two or more years of professional or volunteer experience in the peace corps, AmeriCorps, domestic violence counseling, mental or behavioral health care, homelessness programs, or other social services profession;
(b) Preference points under this subsection and RCW 41.04.010 may not be aggregated to exceed more than 10 percent of the applicant's examination score.
or (c) Completion of training in a reputable crisis intervention program.
3.
2.
p.
(1) Whenever a position in the classified service becomes vacant, the appointing power, if it desires to fill the vacancy, shall make requisition upon the commission for the name and address of a person eligible for appointment thereto.
2 SSB 5089 (1) Whenever a position in the classified service becomes vacant, the appointing power, if it desires to fill the vacancy, shall make requisition upon the commission for the name and address of a person eligible for appointment thereto.
No person so certified shall be laid off, suspended, or given leave of absence from duty, transferred or reduced in pay or grade, except for reasons which will promote the good of the service, specified in writing, and after an opportunity to be heard by the commission and then only with its consent and approval.
No person so certified shall be laid off, suspended, or given leave of absence from duty, transferred or p.
2 SB 5089 reduced in pay or grade, except for reasons which will promote the good of the service, specified in writing, and after an opportunity to be heard by the commission and then only with its consent and approval.
p.
(a) As a law enforcement officer, must be no less than 24 months from the date of successful completion of the basic law enforcement academy or from the date of hire if academy training is not required;
3 SSB 5089 (a) As a new law enforcement officer, must be no less than 24 months from the date of successful completion of the basic law enforcement academy;
4.
3.
(2) An applicant for a position with a law enforcement agency must be at least 23 years of age and:
(2) An applicant for a position with a law enforcement agency must:
(a) Have an associate of arts or science degree;
(a) Be at least 23 years of age;
(b) Complete an associate of arts or science degree prior to the end of the person's probationary period as provided in RCW 41.14.130;
and (b) Have a degree equivalent to an associate of arts or sciences degree.
or (c) Have two years' full-time experience working in domestic violence services, mental or behavioral health care, homelessness programs, crisis intervention services, or other social services professions.
(3) An application for a position with a law enforcement agency may be rejected if the law enforcement agency deems that it does not p.
(3) An application for a position with a law enforcement agency may be rejected if the law enforcement agency deems that it does not have the resources to conduct the background investigation required pursuant to chapter 43.101 RCW.
3 SB 5089 have the resources to conduct the background investigation required pursuant to chapter 43.101 RCW.
(4)(a) Consistent with the scoring scheme outlined in RCW 41.04.010, a hiring law enforcement agency shall add a maximum of 10 percent to the passing mark, grade, or rating of any applicant for any of the following qualifications:
(4) Consistent with the scoring scheme outlined in RCW 41.04.010, a hiring law enforcement agency shall add a maximum of 10 percent to the passing mark, grade, or rating of any applicant for any of the following qualifications:
(i) Proficiency, as defined by the local jurisdiction, in a language other than English;
(a) Proficiency in a language other than English;
Show all 70 changed rows (30 more)
Previous
Latest
or (ii) Two or more years of professional or volunteer experience in the peace corps, AmeriCorps, domestic violence counseling, mental or behavioral health care, homelessness programs, or other social services professions.
(b) Two or more years of professional or volunteer experience in the peace corps, AmeriCorps, domestic violence counseling, mental or behavioral health care, homelessness programs, or other social services profession;
(b) Preference points under this subsection and RCW 41.04.010 may not be aggregated to exceed more than 10 percent of the applicant's examination score.
or (c) Completion of training in a reputable crisis intervention program.
p.
(5) Nothing in this section impairs an applicant's rights under state antidiscrimination laws.
4 SSB 5089 (5) Nothing in this section impairs an applicant's rights under state antidiscrimination laws.
5.
4.
(2) To enable the appointing power to exercise a greater degree of choice in the filling of positions, no appointment, employment, or promotion in any position in the classified service shall be deemed complete until after the expiration of a period of one year's probationary service, as may be provided in the rules of the civil service commission, during which the appointing power may terminate the employment of the person appointed, if during the performance test thus afforded, upon observation or consideration of the performance of duty, the appointing power deems such person unfit or unsatisfactory for service in the office of county sheriff.
(2) To enable the appointing power to exercise a greater degree of choice in the filling of positions, no appointment, employment, or promotion in any position in the classified service shall be deemed complete until after the expiration of a period of one year's p.
4 SB 5089 probationary service, as may be provided in the rules of the civil service commission, during which the appointing power may terminate the employment of the person appointed, if during the performance test thus afforded, upon observation or consideration of the performance of duty, the appointing power deems such person unfit or unsatisfactory for service in the office of county sheriff.
p.
(a) As a law enforcement officer, must be no less than 24 months from the date of successful completion of the basic law enforcement academy or from the date of hire if academy training is not required;
5 SSB 5089 (a) As a new law enforcement officer, must be no less than 24 months from the date of successful completion of the basic law enforcement academy;
6.
5.
(c) A person appointed as a Washington state patrol officer must be at least 23 years of age and:
(c) A person appointed as a Washington state patrol officer must:
(i) Have an associate of arts or science degree;
(i) Be at least 23 years of age;
(ii) Complete an associate of arts or science degree prior to the end of the person's probationary period as provided in RCW 43.43.360;
and p.
or (iii) Have two years' full-time experience working in domestic violence services, mental or behavioral health care, homelessness programs, crisis intervention services, or other social services professions.
5 SB 5089 (ii) Have a degree equivalent to an associate of arts or sciences degree.
(3)(a) Consistent with the scoring scheme outlined in RCW 41.04.010, a hiring law enforcement agency shall add a maximum of 10 percent to the passing mark, grade, or rating of any applicant for any of the following qualifications:
(3) The chief may appoint employees of the Washington state patrol to serve as special deputies, with such restricted police authority as the chief shall designate as being necessary and consistent with their assignment to duty.
(i) Proficiency, as defined by the local jurisdiction, in a language other than English;
or p.
6 SSB 5089 (ii) Two or more years of professional or volunteer experience in the peace corps, AmeriCorps, domestic violence counseling, mental or behavioral health care, homelessness programs, or other social services professions.
(b) Preference points under this subsection and RCW 41.04.010 may not be aggregated to exceed more than 10 percent of the applicant's examination score.
(4) The chief may appoint employees of the Washington state patrol to serve as special deputies, with such restricted police authority as the chief shall designate as being necessary and consistent with their assignment to duty.
(5) The chief may personally appoint, with the consent of the state treasurer, employees of the office of the state treasurer who are qualified under the standards of the criminal justice training commission, or who have comparable training and experience, to serve as special deputies.
(4) The chief may personally appoint, with the consent of the state treasurer, employees of the office of the state treasurer who are qualified under the standards of the criminal justice training commission, or who have comparable training and experience, to serve as special deputies.
7.
6.
All newly appointed ((or promoted)) officers shall serve a probationary period of ((one year after appointment or promotion)) 24 months from the date of successful completion of the basic law p.
All newly appointed or promoted officers shall serve a probationary period of ((one year after appointment or promotion)) 24 months from the date of successful completion of the basic law enforcement academy or from the date of appointment or promotion if academy training is not required, whereupon their probationary status shall terminate, and they shall acquire regular status in the p.
7 SSB 5089 enforcement academy and all promoted officers shall serve a probationary period of 12 months from the date of promotion, whereupon their probationary status shall terminate, and they shall acquire regular status in the particular grade, unless given notice in writing to the contrary by the chief prior to the expiration of the probationary period.
6 SB 5089 particular grade, unless given notice in writing to the contrary by the chief prior to the expiration of the probationary period.
NEW SECTION.
Sec.
8.
Any provision in a collective bargaining agreement or other agreement entered into or amended after the effective date of this section that is contrary to the provisions of this act is void and unenforceable.
No jurisdiction's law, policies, rules, contracts, or other agreements may contravene any of this act.
8 SSB 5089
7 SB 5089
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

Action History

  1. Senate Rules "X" file.

  2. On motion, referred to Rules Committee for second reading.

  3. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  4. Senate Rules "X" file.

  5. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  6. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  7. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM

  8. Minority; do not pass.

  9. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  10. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.

  11. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM

  12. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.

  13. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

  14. Prefiled for introduction.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 141 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Kuderer

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (141)

141 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 141 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety veterans
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5089?
SB 5089 is sponsored by Marko Liias (Democrat), Bob Hasegawa (Democrat), Manka Dhingra (Democrat), Das, Darneille, Jamie Pedersen (Democrat), Kuderer, Joe Nguyen (Democrat), Claire Wilson (Democrat), and Victoria Hunt (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 5089?
This bill died with 2021-2022 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 5089?
Track SB 5089 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 5089

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 5089

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →