The Washington state Senate wants to make it easier for prosecutors to convict people for providing criminal assistance.

Lawmakers voted Wednesday to approve a plan that would alter the criminal assistance law. Republican Sen. Mike Carrell says people involved in aiding criminal suspects could be charged even if they don't have specific knowledge about the exact crime that occurred.

Carrell says the bill was designed in response to the 2009 slaying of four Lakewood police officers. The sister of killer Maurice Clemmons had been charged with rendering criminal assistance because prosecutors say she helped the getaway driver. Her conviction was thrown out on appeal because prosecutors didn't prove she knew the driver was being sought as an accomplice.

The measure passed 44-5 and now goes to the state House.