SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5700

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 of February 11, 2019

Title: An act relating to the release of juveniles in the custody of juvenile rehabilitation.

Brief Description: Concerning the release of juveniles in the custody of juvenile rehabilitation.

Sponsors: Senators Nguyen, Darneille, Wellman, Rolfes, Kuderer, Das, Cleveland, Hasegawa and Wilson, C..

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation: 2/12/19.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) to establish a safe release into safe and stable housing for all youth in custody.

  • Allows JR to provide up to six months of rental vouchers if necessary to establish a safe release plan.

  • Requires rental vouchers to be provided in conjunction with transition support programming.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, REENTRY & REHABILITATION

Staff: Kevin Black (786-7747)

Background: Juvenile Rehabilitation. JR is a division of the Department of Social and Health Services which is scheduled to transfer to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) on July 1, 2019. JR operates three juvenile institutions for adjudicated juveniles sentenced to serve 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.

Mandate to Discharge Unaccompanied Youth Into Safe and Stable Housing. SSB 6560, enacted in 2018, proclaims a Legislative goal to discharge all unaccompanied youth from a publicly-funded system of care into safe and stable housing by January 1, 2021, including but not limited to, youth in JR, the foster care system, and the behavioral health system. DCYF must issue a plan to accomplish this goal by December 31, 2019.

Department of Corrections Rental Vouchers. The Department of Corrections (DOC) has legal authority and funding to issue rental vouchers to offenders upon their early release date for a period of up to three months. Transitional support programming must be provided alongside the rental vouchers. DOC has implemented this authority by providing rental vouchers to offenders who are female or who will be under community custody supervision upon release.

Summary of Bill: JR must work with youth in custody to establish a safe release plan into safe and stable housing. If JR is unable to establish a safe release plan, it may provide rental vouchers for a period not to exceed six months if rental assistance will result in a safe release plan.

Vouchers must be provided in conjunction with additional transition support programming or services including but not limited to, substance use disorder treatment, mental health treatment, sex offender treatment, educational programming, or employment programming.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 28, 2019.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.