Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Human Services & Early Learning Committee

SSB 5815

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: Concerning individuals placed in minimum security status by the department of children, youth, and families.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation (originally sponsored by Senators Nguyen, Darneille, Wilson, C., Saldaña, Das, Keiser and Kuderer).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Authorizes the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to allow an individual who is serving a sentence for an offense that occurred before the individual turned age 18 in a community facility to participate in work, educational, community restitution, or treatment programs in the community for up to 16 hours (instead of 12 hours) within the DCYF's appropriations.

  • Excludes unlawful use or possession of a controlled substance or alcohol from the offenses that result in an individual's automatic return from a community facility to a juvenile institution.

Hearing Date: 3/15/19

Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).

Background:

Juvenile Offender Sentencing.

Juvenile court dispositions are subject to statutory sentencing guidelines.

Juvenile offenses are categorized using letters E through A++ to indicate the seriousness level of the offense with E being the least serious and A++ being the most serious offense category. A statutory grid establishes the standard sentencing range for a particular offense based on the offense category and an individual's prior adjudications. Each prior felony adjudication counts as one point, and each prior violation, misdemeanor, or gross misdemeanor counts as one-fourth point. Fractional points are rounded down.

The sentencing category called "local sanctions" is the least serious category for juvenile sentencing purposes. Local sanctions include a range of up to 30 days in confinement, up to 12 months of community service, up to 150 hours of community service, and up to a $500 fine. When a juvenile court sentences a juvenile offender to local sanctions, the court must impose a determinate sentence within the standard range. Confinement imposed by a juvenile court up to 30 days is served in a county juvenile detention facility.

Any confinement imposed that is greater than 30 days is served through commitment at a Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) juvenile rehabilitation facility.

If the court concludes that disposition within the standard range would effectuate a manifest injustice, the court must impose a disposition outside the standard range. A court's finding of manifest injustice must be supported by clear and convincing evidence.

A juvenile offender cannot be committed by the juvenile court beyond the offender's twenty-first birthday.

Juvenile Rehabilitation Institutions.

The DSHS operates three juvenile institutions for juveniles convicted of crimes and sentenced to more than 30 days of confinement. Echo Glen Children's Center in Snoqualmie serves younger male offenders and female offenders. Green Hill School in Chehalis serves older male offenders. Naselle Youth Camp in Naselle provides services to male offenders and offers a forestry work program.

Juvenile Rehabilitation Community Facilities.

Community facilities allow youth to begin transitioning back to the community.  These facilities provide treatment, education, and vocational services.  To be eligible for community facility placement, a youth must be placed on minimum security status.  Minimum security status is based on risk and behavior assessments, and requires that the individual served 10 percent of his or her aggregate minimum disposition or 30 days, whichever is greater, and all placement assessment requirements have been met.  Individuals who attempt to escape or escape, individuals who are eligible for civil commitment, and individuals who meet other criteria are not eligible for minimum security status. 

There are eight community facilities across the state including:

Juveniles placed in minimum security status may participate in work, educational, community restitution, or treatment programs in the community up to 12 hours a day if approved by the DSHS. The DSHS must make and document periodic and random accountability checks while the juvenile is at a school or work facility.

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.

It is unlawful for any person to possess a controlled substance unless the substance was obtained using a valid prescription. Controlled substances means a drug or substance included in schedules I through V in state or federal law. State law lists substances that are included in each of these categories. Possession of marijuana by persons age 21 and older in limited amounts is not included in the possession of a controlled substance offense.

Use or Possession of an Alcoholic Beverage.

It is unlawful for any person under age 21 to possess, consume, or otherwise acquire any liquor. This offense is categorized as a gross misdemeanor.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is allowed to authorize an individual who is serving a sentence for an offense that occurred before the individual turned age 18 in a community facility to participate in work, educational, community restitution, or treatment programs in the community for up to 16 hours (instead of 12 hours) within the DCYF's appropriations.

Unlawful use or possession of a controlled substance or alcohol are excluded from the offenses that result in an individual's automatic return from a community facility to a juvenile institution. The DCYF must consult empirically validated best practices and evidence concerning the most effective interventions before adopting a policy to address unlawful use or possession of a controlled substance or alcohol committed by an individual serving a sentence for an offense that occurred before the individual turned age 18 in a community facility.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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