Washington State lawmakers are considering a proposed bill that aims to establish certified paralegal education programs east of the Cascade Mountains.
The goal of Senate Bill 5087 is to provide enough funding for community and technology colleges in Central Washington and Eastern Washington to make pre-law associates degrees available to students.
Senator Nikki Torres with the 15th Legislative District covering parts of Yakima County and Benton County is the bill’s primary sponsor.
“Access to justice in our state has become increasingly difficult,” said Sen. Torres. “We need to make the investments and reforms to our educational system to train the next generation of public servants in our criminal justice system that will meet the growing needs and relieve pressure on our courts. We need programs that will keep students in Central and Eastern Washington.”
The bill received a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development on Monday, January 20.
The committee will decide later whether to move the bill to a vote on the Senate floor.