HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2217

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 Passed House:

June 28, 2015

Title: An act relating to the juvenile offender basic training camp program.

Brief Description: Concerning the state's use of the juvenile offender basic training camp program.

Sponsors: Representatives Hunter, Sullivan and Carlyle.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Appropriations: 4/20/15, 4/21/15 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 4/22/15, 72-25.

First Special SessionFloor Activity:

Passed House: 4/29/15, 71-24.

Second Special SessionFloor Activity:

Passed House: 6/24/15, 77-20.

Third Special SessionFloor Activity:

Passed House: 6/28/15, 81-16.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Removes the requirement for the Department of Social and Health Services to operate a juvenile offender basic training camp.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 26 members: Representatives Hunter, Chair; Ormsby, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Parker, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Wilcox, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle, Cody, Condotta, Dunshee, Hansen, Hudgins, S. Hunt, Jinkins, Kagi, Lytton, MacEwen, Magendanz, Pettigrew, Sawyer, Senn, Springer, Stokesbary, Sullivan, Tharinger, Van Werven and Walkinshaw.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Buys, Dent, Haler, G. Hunt, Schmick, Taylor and Fagan.

Staff: Mary Mulholland (786-7391).

Background:

Chapter 7, Laws of 1994 (E2SHB 2319) required the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to establish a medium-security juvenile offender basic training camp (JOBTC). The JOBTC was designed to be a 120-day program that emphasized building a juvenile offender's self-esteem, confidence, and discipline through a structured curriculum including educational, vocational, rehabilitative, and physical training components.

Pursuant to chapter 13.40.320 RCW and DSHS Juvenile Justice and Rehabilitation Administration (JJRA) policy, a juvenile offender must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the JOBTC:

Juvenile offenders who meet the above eligibility criteria and successfully graduate from the JOBTC spend the remainder of their disposition under parole supervision in the community.

When the JJRA opened the JOBTC in 1997, the JJRA had a caseload of approximately 1,400 youth and the JOBTC was funded for 48 beds. By fiscal year (FY) 2014, the JJRA caseload had declined to 533 youth and the JOBTC was funded for 16 beds. The actual average daily population of the JOBTC over the FY 2012-FY 2014 period was 11 youth. The JJRA has reported that youth today infrequently meet the original JOBTC eligibility criteria.

The JOBTC is located in Connell and is currently operated through a contract with Pioneer Human Services.

Summary of Bill:

The requirement for the DSHS to establish a JOBTC is changed to an authorization to do so.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) None.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.