Along with the many new alcohol laws that went into effect on Sunday, July 28^th, 2013, several other laws went into effect as well.

House Bill 1341 – Wrongful Convictions  – This new law will allow people who were wrongfully convicted of a crime in Washington State to file a claim for damages against the state. You would have to show that the wrongful conviction was overturned based on significant evidence of innocence.

A wrongfully convicted person would receive $50,000 for each year of imprisonment, including any time spent awaiting trial, plus an additional $50,000 for each year on death row. A wrongfully convicted person would receive $25,000 for each year on parole, community custody or as a registered sex offender.

The state will also pay all child support owed while the claimant was in custody, and will reimburse all court and attorney fees up to $75,000.

In-state college tuition waivers will be provided for the person who was wrongfully convicted, as well as their children and/or step-children. 

House Bill 1612 – Firearm Registry – The Washington State Patrol will begin maintaining a database of felony firearm offenders. This will help law enforcement officials to keep track of who these felony firearm offenders are. A judge can decide whether the offender must register with their county’s Sheriff Office as part of this program. This information will not be available to the public.