On November 14, 2025, the Washington State Sentencing Guidelines Commission voted 7-2-3 to recommend reducing sentences for adult offenders convicted of attempting to exploit children during sting operations. This recommendation applies specifically to those with no prior convictions for offenses against minors. The proposal is set to be considered by the Washington State Legislature in the 2026 session, with the potential for it to be signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson.

The recommendation is based on Senate Bill 5312, sponsored by Senator Lisa Wellman, which aims to lessen standard sentencing terms for first-time offenders apprehended in operations known as "Net Nanny" stings. In these operations, law enforcement engages with individuals attempting to solicit sexual activity with minors online, often posing as either guardians or minors themselves. Offenders are charged after arranging to meet a child in person.

Proponents of the recommendation argue that sting operations do not involve actual victims, suggesting that the offenders are less dangerous than those who commit direct acts of abuse. The commission cited a 2022 report from the Washington Sex Offender Policy Board, which indicated that individuals convicted solely through sting operations have a significantly lower recidivism rate compared to those who commit direct offenses against children.

The proposed changes would reduce prison sentences and shorten mandatory sex-offender registration from a lifetime requirement to five years, as well as decrease post-release supervision from lifetime to three years in certain cases. Critics, including some members of the commission and victims' rights advocates, have expressed concern that these changes could undermine deterrence and increase risks to children in the community. Some legislators, including Representative Lauren Davis, have highlighted that many offenders caught in these stings may hold positions of authority, raising further questions about the implications of the proposed sentencing guidelines.

The ongoing debate reflects broader concerns about the balance between rehabilitation and public safety, particularly in the context of crimes against vulnerable populations.