H-3396.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2426
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State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1994 Regular Session
By Representatives Appelwick, Wineberry, Scott, Karahalios, Johanson, J. Kohl, Romero, Thibaudeau, Conway, Holm and Jones
Read first time 01/14/94. Referred to Committee on Corrections.
AN ACT Relating to juvenile justice; and creating new sections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the juvenile justice act of 1977 requires comprehensive review and revision. While the act's dual goals of meaningful and fair punishment and effective rehabilitation remain laudable, the act's substantive provisions reflect an overly rigid and overly complex disposition scheme that defeats realization of both goals. As implemented, the act's "just desserts" model has sacrificed the state's ability to intervene with intensive rehabilitation efforts and meaningful, timely punishment directed towards children in danger of becoming serious and chronic offenders. At the same time, the act inadequately addresses growing public concern about those offenders who, regardless of their maturity, pose an undeniable threat to the safety of themselves, other children, and the community by virtue of their access to weapons and drugs, their involvement with gangs, and their willingness to engage in violent acts. The legislature finds that it is time to take a fresh look and approach at juvenile justice in the state of Washington.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The legislature, through its respective committees, shall review the juvenile justice act of 1977 and related provisions concerning children, and make recommendations to the legislature for revision of the juvenile justice system to improve the state's ability to effectively rehabilitate and punish juvenile offenders and to protect the community.
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