OLYMPIA — The Washington state House today approved several bills sparked in part by last year’s murders of six police officers.
Among the measures passed by the House was one that would increase death benefits for the survivors of police killed on the job. Another bill requires a judge to personally set bail for people arrested on felony charges. Currently, several counties have a system where a formula is used to set bail amounts if arrests are made on the weekends.
The House also approved a bill that would toughen penalties for those charged with rendering criminal assistance. The bills now head to the Senate for consideration.
Earlier in the morning, both the House and the Senate each unanimously passed resolutions honoring the officers.
Both chambers unanimously passed resolutions honoring Seattle Officer Timothy Brenton of Marysville, Lakewood police Sgt. Mark Renninger, Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards, and Puyallup Deputy Kent Mundell. All were killed between October and December while on duty.
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