READ FIRST TIME 01/21/11.   

     AN ACT Relating to the staffing of secure community transition facilities; amending RCW 71.09.300; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 71.09.300 and 2003 c 216 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     Secure community transition facilities shall meet the following minimum staffing requirements:
     (1)(((a) At any time the census of a facility that accepts its first resident before July 1, 2003, is six or fewer residents, the facility shall maintain a minimum staffing ratio of one staff per three residents during normal waking hours and one awake staff per four residents during normal sleeping hours. In no case shall the staffing ratio permit less than two staff per housing unit.
     (b) At any time the census of a facility that accepts its first resident on or after July 1, 2003, is six or fewer residents, the facility shall maintain a minimum staffing ratio of one staff per resident during normal waking hours and two awake staff per three residents during normal sleeping hours. In no case shall the staffing ratio permit less than two staff per housing unit.
     (2))) At any time the census of a facility is six or fewer residents, all staff shall be classified as residential rehabilitation counselor II or have a classification that indicates an equivalent or higher level of skill, experience, and training.
     (((3) Before being assigned to a facility, all staff shall have training in sex offender issues, self-defense, and crisis de-escalation skills in addition to departmental orientation and, as appropriate, management training. All staff with resident treatment or care duties must participate in ongoing in-service training.
     (4))) (2)(a) For the secure transition facility located on McNeil Island, the direct care staffing level shall be at least three qualified, trained staff as described in subsection (3) of this section, unless there are no residents housed at the facility, in which case the facility need not staff to this ratio.
     (b) For the secure community transition facility located in Seattle, the direct care staffing level shall be at least two qualified, trained staff as described in subsection (3) of this section, unless there are no residents housed at the facility, in which case the facility need not staff to this ratio.
     (3) Before being assigned to a facility, all staff must have received training in sex offender issues, self-defense, and crisis de-escalation skills in addition to departmental orientation and, as appropriate, management training. All staff with resident treatment or care duties must participate in ongoing in-service training.
     (4) All staff must pass a departmental background check and the check is not subject to the limitations in chapter 9.96A RCW. A person who has been convicted of a felony, or any sex offense, may not be employed at the secure community transition facility or be approved as an escort for a resident of the facility.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.