SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1609

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Children & Family Services & Corrections, March 31, 2003

Title: An act relating to pilot regional correctional facilities.

Brief Description: Requiring a plan to establish pilot regional correctional facilities.

Sponsors: House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives O'Brien and Buck; by request of Sentencing Guidelines Commission).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Children & Family Services & Corrections: 3/21/03, 3/31/03 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Parlette, Vice Chair; Carlson, Deccio, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Regala.

Staff: Tony Rugel (786-7754)

Background: Concerns have been raised that changes in the Sentencing Reform Act have resulted in longer jail and prison sentences, as well as an increase in the number of inmates. To reduce the burden of these increases and to make a more economic use of state and local funds, some feel that state and local corrections authorities could share resources and jurisdiction over regional correctional facilities.

Summary of Amended Bill: The Sentencing Guidelines Commission must present to the Legislature a plan for establishing pilot regional correctional facilities no later than December 31, 2003. The plan includes numerous elements regarding the effective and efficient sharing of resources between local and state correctional authorities.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill: The inmate population who will be placed in these facilities is defined and a specific siting methodology for the regional correctional facilities is eliminated.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: General support for the concept of the pilot project was emphasized.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Jim Thatcher, Dept. of Corrections.