Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee |
HB 1632
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. |
Brief Description: Modifying cost of supervision provisions.
Sponsors: Representatives Hope, Hurst and Armstrong; by request of Department of Corrections.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 2/9/11
Staff: Alexa Silver (786-7190).
Background:
Assessments for Supervision of Felony Offenders: The Department of Corrections (DOC) may impose a monthly supervision assessment on a felony offender under supervision, which is considered payment toward providing supervision. The assessment is $15 per month for routine parole and up to $50 per month for intensive parole supervision. The assessment is imposed for the duration of supervision and is deposited in the Cost of Supervision Fund. Expenditures from the Cost of Supervision Fund are made for supporting the collection of legal financial obligations.
The DOC may exempt an offender from payment of all or part of the assessment if: the offender has diligently attempted but has been unable to obtain employment; the offender is a student; the offender has an employment handicap; the offender's age prevents employment; the assessment would create an undue hardship because the offender is responsible for supporting dependents; or other extenuating circumstances exist.
Assessments for Supervision of Misdemeanant Probationers: When an offender convicted of a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor is placed on probation and supervised by either the DOC or a county probation department, the DOC or the probation department may collect a monthly assessment up to $100 per month from the offender. The assessment is imposed for the duration of probation.
Application for Interstate Transfer: The DOC processes applications for transfer of offenders under the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision and may charge offenders a reasonable fee for processing the application.
Summary of Bill:
Intake Fee for Supervision of Offenders: Both felony and misdemeanor offenders under DOC supervision must pay a supervision intake fee, which is considered payment toward the cost of establishing supervision. The fee is imposed after the offender is determined to be eligible for supervision.
For an offender whose crime was committed on or after July 1, 2011, the fee is $400 to $600 and is assessed for each judgment and sentence imposed for which supervision is required. For an offender whose crime was committed before July 1, 2011, the monthly supervision assessment is converted to a one‑time fee. The fee is based on the monthly rate and the number of months of supervision left, but may not exceed $600.
Application for Interstate Transfer: The DOC may charge a reasonable fee set by rule for processing an offender's application for out-of-state transfer of supervision under the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision. The fee is deposited in the Cost of Supervision Fund.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.