Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Public Safety Committee

HB 2900

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 Summary of Bill

Prohibits earned early release time from being accrued on that portion of an offender's sentence that is due to a conviction for possessing or carrying in his or her control, narcotic drugs or controlled substances while confined in a state, county, or local correctional institution.

Background:

It is a class C felony offense, if a person serving a sentence in a state, county, or local correctional institution, who, while in the institution, while being conveyed to or from the institution, while in the custody of institution officials, or while on the premises of the institution, knowingly possesses or carries under his or her control, any narcotic drug or controlled substance. The sentence imposed for such violations must be in addition to any other sentence being served.

State and local correctional institutions may reduce an offender's term of confinement through earned release time. Earned release time may be granted for good behavior and good performance and can be taken away for disciplinary reasons. In the case of an offender convicted of a serious violent offense or a class A felony sex offense, the earned release time may not exceed 15 percent of the sentence. For all other offenders, the aggregate earned release time may not exceed 33 percent of the sentence.

Summary of Bill:

No earned early release time can accrue or be credited to that portion of an offender's sentence that is a conviction and penalty for knowingly possessing or carrying upon his or her control any narcotic drug or controlled substance while confined or incarcerated in a state, county, or local correctional institution.