OLYMPIA – The Washington State House of Representatives has passed House Bill 2015, legislation aimed at strengthening public safety by providing local governments with the resources they need to support law enforcement and public safety services. Sponsored by Representatives Debra Entenman, Kristine Reeves, and April Berg, along with other members of the Legislative Black Caucus, the bill establishes new funding mechanisms to help recruit and retain officers while prioritizing crisis intervention, de-escalation training, and trauma-informed policing.
“Communities have been loud and clear—they want well-funded, well-trained, and accountable public safety services,” said Representative Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way), co-sponsor of the bill and Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. “That’s exactly what we’re delivering. This bill ensures that cities and counties have the funding they need to recruit and retain law enforcement officers while also supporting crisis intervention, de-escalation training, and trauma-informed policing.”
The bill creates a Local Law Enforcement Grant Program, administered by the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC), to provide direct financial support for hiring and training officers. It also establishes the Supplemental Criminal Justice Account, ensuring state and local criminal justice agencies receive much-needed resources. Cities and counties will be able to fund these efforts through an optional 0.1% sales and use tax, dedicated specifically to criminal justice purposes.
During floor debate, some lawmakers raised concerns about the funding mechanism for public safety investments. In response, Reeves made it clear that action is necessary.
“We hear a lot about the importance of supporting law enforcement, but words alone aren’t enough—we need real funding to ensure our communities are safe, which is why I sponsored this legislation,” said Reeves.
The bill acknowledges that public safety means more than just policing, balancing law enforcement investments with measures that support community well-being and crime prevention.
“Providing for the public’s safety is a core responsibility of our public servants,” said Reeves. “That public safety is provided through our local governments, which means ensuring our cities and counties have the tools they need to keep people safe in a way that works for the communities they serve.”
The Local Law Enforcement Grant Program will help law enforcement agencies address staffing shortages and improve officer training. To qualify for a grant, a local or tribal law enforcement agency must have:
• Policies consistent with the Keeping Washington Working Act (KWWA)
• Compliance with violence de-escalation and duty-to-render-aid training
• Policies in line with Attorney General model policies on use of force, duty to intervene, and reporting
• Adherence to firearm relinquishment laws and domestic violence response requirements
• A minimum 25% officer compliance rate with 40-hour crisis intervention team training
• 100% officer compliance with trauma-informed training approved by CJTC
• A flexible work policy to support officer retention
• Disclosure of the number of vacancies within the department
Additionally, local or tribal law enforcement agencies must receive primary funding from a local government that has implemented one of the authorized public safety taxes.
Grant funds may be used for:
• Recruiting new law enforcement officers from the communities they serve
• Funding de-escalation, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed training
• Supporting broader public safety efforts, including community programs that reduce interactions with the criminal justice system
The bill also establishes a Supplemental Criminal Justice Account, which will distribute quarterly funding to qualified cities and counties based on a per capita formula. Funding from the optional 0.1% sales and use tax will be strictly designated for criminal justice purposes, including:
• Public defender staffing
• Diversion programs
• Reentry support for formerly incarcerated individuals
• Community placements for juveniles
• Domestic violence services
• Local programs aimed at reducing interactions with the criminal justice system
With passage in the House, HB 2015 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
Source: Seattle Medium
