USA - Washington. Bill to abolish death penalty doesn't pass out of committee

Bill to abolish death penalty doesn't pass out of committee. House Bill 1739 was scheduled for a vote in the House Judiciary Committee today, but it was not brought up for a vote on the last day before a key policy bill deadline. The chairwoman of the committee, Laurie Jinkins, said she's personally supportive of the bill, but said that she didn't think this was the right time to move forward with it. The measure would have replaced capital punishment with life in prison, with no opportunity for parole. It also would have required those convicted to work in prison in order to pay restitution to victims' families. Last year, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a moratorium on capital punishment for as long as he's in office (till Jan. 2017).