Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Early Learning & Human Services Committee |
HB 2677
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: Clarifying which counties may provide and maintain detention rooms or detention houses.
Sponsors: Representatives Senn, Walsh, Vick, Jinkins, Pike and Tharinger.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/27/16
Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).
Background:
Juvenile Detention.
Counties with a population of 50,000 or more must maintain a juvenile detention facility. Juveniles may not be confined in a jail or holding facility for adults except:
a juvenile may be held in an adult facility provided that the confinement is separate from the sight and sound of adult inmates for a period not exceeding 24 hours excluding weekends and holidays and only for the purpose of an initial court appearance in a county where no juvenile detention facility is available, or
a juvenile may be held in an adult facility provided that the confinement is separate from the sight and sound of adult inmate for not more than 6 hours pursuant to a lawful detention in the course of an investigation.
Juveniles who have been transferred to an adult court may be confined in a jail or holding facility for adults.
Counties in Washington.
There are 39 counties in Washington. The Office of Financial Management (OFM) annually estimates the populations of counties. According to the OFM estimate released on April 1, 2015, there are 18 counties in Washington with a population less than 50,000, including Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, San Juan, Skamania, Stevens, Wahkiakum, and Whitman. According to that estimate, there are 13 Washington counties with populations between 50,000 and 250,000, including Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Cowlitz, Franklin, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Lewis, Mason, Skagit, Walla Walla, and Whatcom.
Summary of Bill:
The population size of counties that are required to maintain a juvenile detention facility is increased from more than 50,000 inhabitants to more than 250,000 inhabitants.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.