Washington State's death penalty law was enacted in 1981.  Of the 31 people sentenced to death in our state since then, 4 have been executed. 

This year the legislature has addressed two different issues dealing with the death penalty.  Identical bills on both subjects were introduced in the House and the Senate.  House Bill 1518 and Senate Bill 5786 would create a task force to study the fairness of the imposition of the death penalty in our state.  House Bill 1707 and Senate Bill 5787 would prevent the death penalty from being imposed on those suffering from severe mental disorders.

The bills were heard in their respective Judiciary Committees on February 14th.  WSCC testified in support of these bills.  Click here to read more on these issues and to contact your legislators encouraging their support of these bills.  Scroll to the bottom of that page to send messages to our legislators.