Senate Bill 6239 would mandate arbitration for all potential lawsuits.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — A Washington state proposal requiring arbitration before civil lawsuits are filed could save the state money, but abuse survivors fear the move may prevent victims from getting what they deserve.
State Senator Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, sponsored Senate Bill 6239, a bill to mandate all civil complaints against the state go through arbitrators first, before proceeding to jury trials.
The measure aims to reduce legal costs after Washington paid an estimated half a billion dollars in settlements for lawsuits alleging abuse in foster homes and juvenile detention centers in 2025.
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