OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The state Senate is debating a package of legal changes spurred by the fatal shootings of four Lakewood police officers last year.
Among the proposals being considered Thursday night is an amendment to the state constitution expanding judges’ authority to restrict bail in serious criminal cases. The shooter in the Lakewood case had posted bail less than a week before the slayings.
Gov. Chris Gregoire asked lawmakers to make changes to the constitution after convening a law enforcement task force to review state laws. The state House has already endorsed a different version of the constitutional amendment.
Any constitutional amendment would also have to be approved by voters in the fall.
