SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5634
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Human Services & Corrections, February 16, 2007
Title: An act relating to corrections personnel training.
Brief Description: Revising corrections personnel training provisions.
Sponsors: Senators Brandland, Kline, McCaslin and Delvin; by request of Criminal Justice Training Commission.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 2/09/07, 2/16/07 [DPS].
Ways & Means: 3/02/07 [w/oRec].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5634 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell and McAuliffe.
Staff: Kiki Keizer (786-7430)
Background: The Corrections Reform Act of 1981 (CRA) established the Department of
Corrections as a separate department of state government, with a secretary appointed by the
Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The CRA also included provisions designed to reform
inmate work programs and establish correctional standards.
The CRA required mandatory minimum staff training for corrections personnel of the state and
all counties employed on or after January 1, 1982, and all corrections personnel promoted to
supervisory or management positions after that date. The basic corrections training required by
the CRA was to be adopted by the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC).
Summary of Bill: The bill eliminates the requirement that corrections personnel of the state and
all counties, who are transferred or promoted to a supervisory or management position on or after
January 1, 1982, engage in supervisory or management training which complies with RCW
43.101.160 (which was repealed by 1983 c 197 § 55, effective June 30, 1987).
The bill eliminates the requirement that the CJTC provide the training for corrections personnel,
together with the facilities, supplies, materials, and room and board for noncommuting attendees.
The bill eliminates a provision stating that persons' employment status will not be impaired if
their employers do not provide opportunities to engage in the required training.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED SUBSTITUTE AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Human Services & Corrections): The substitute adds the other agency request bill from the Criminal Justice Training Commission (SB 5633) as Section 2 of the bill; restores statutory language requiring the CJTC to provide training, along with the corresponding facilities, supplies, and room and board for noncommuting attendees; and restores statutory language stating that nothing in the bill affects or impairs the employment status of any person whose employer does not provide him with the opportunity to engage in the required training.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The intent was to clean up the statute because, after RCW 43.101.160 was repealed, it was unclear whether the CJTC was still authorized to set standards for basic academy training. There are some problems with the language, as drafted, but the CJTC is willing to work with staff on those. For example, it was not the CJTC's intent to eliminate training and the resources necessary to provide it.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Carri Brezonick, Criminal Justice Training Commission.