FINAL BILL REPORT
SHB 1485
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. |
C 107 L 19
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning the appointment of religious coordinators.
Sponsors: House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations (originally sponsored by Representatives Lekanoff, Pettigrew, Shewmake, Gregerson, Entenman, Pellicciotti, Doglio, Appleton, Frame, Ormsby, Hudgins, Jinkins and Leavitt).
House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations
Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections
Background:
The Department of Corrections (DOC) appoints as employees institutional chaplains for the correctional institutions under its jurisdiction to meet the religious needs of inmates. In addition, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is required to appoint chaplains for the correctional institutions for juveniles found delinquent by the juvenile courts. The Department of the Social and Health Services (DSHS) must appoint one or more chaplains for other custodial, correctional, and mental institutions, as applicable, under its control.
Chaplains serve as religious program coordinators for all faith groups. Every chaplain must have qualifications consistent with community standards of the faith group to which the chaplain belongs. The DOC may contract with non-appointed chaplains as necessary to meet the religious needs of inmates whose religious denominations are not represented by appointed institutional chaplains and where volunteer chaplains are not available.
A minister or other clergyperson employed as a chaplain in a state institution or agency may receive, as part of his or her salary, a housing allowance that is in an amount of up to 40 percent of the gross salary, designated as either:
the rental value of a home furnished to the person; or
a housing allowance paid to the person to rent or provide a home.
Summary:
The employee title "chaplain," as used by the DOC, DCYF, and DSHS is changed to "religious coordinator." The housing allowance available for chaplains is extended to religious coordinators.
Votes on Final Passage:
House | 70 | 24 | |
Senate | 34 | 12 |
Effective: | July 28, 2019 |