Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Children, Youth & Families Committee
HB 1894
Brief Description: Concerning the period for juvenile diversion agreements.
Sponsors: Representatives Harris-Talley, Frame, Leavitt, Simmons, Johnson, J., Goodman, Walen, Dolan, Ryu, Taylor, Fey, Fitzgibbon, Davis, Bateman, Macri, Valdez and Pollet; by request of Administrative Office of the Courts.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows a juvenile diversion agreement to be extended by six months at the request of a juvenile.
Hearing Date: 1/19/22
Staff: Luke Wickham
Background:

Juvenile Diversion Agreements.

A juvenile diversion agreement is a contract between a juvenile accused of a crime and a diversion unit where the juvenile agrees to complete certain requirements instead of prosecution.  Juvenile diversion agreements may only be executed after the prosecutor or probation counselor has determined that probable cause exists to believe that a crime was committed.  

 

The requirements of a juvenile diversion agreement are limited to:

  • community restitution not to exceed 150 hours;
  • restitution limited to the amount of actual loss;
  • attendance at up to 10 hours of counseling and 20 hours of positive youth development, educational or information sessions at a community agency;
  • requirements to remain during certain hours at home, school, or work, and restrictions on leaving or entering certain areas; and
  • upon request of any victim or witness, requirements to refrain from contact with such victims or witnesses.

 

A juvenile diversion agreement may not exceed a period of six months and may include a period extending beyond the individual's 18th birthday.  If additional time is needed to complete restitution to a victim, the period may be extended for six months.

 

Prosecutors are required to divert a case if the alleged offense is a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor and the alleged offense is the offender's first offense.  If the prosecutor is not required to divert the case and the offense is not a sex offense or a violent offense, other than assault in the second degree or robbery in the second degree, the prosecutor has discretion regarding whether to divert a case.
Summary of Bill:

A juvenile diversion agreement may be extended by six months at the request of a juvenile.  A juvenile diversion agreement may be completed by a juvenile any time before an order terminates the diversion agreement.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.