SENATE BILL REPORT
ESHB 1901
AS OF MARCH 29, 1991
Brief Description: Amending the juvenile justice act.
SPONSORS:House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Appelwick, Padden, Tate, Ludwig, R. Meyers, Riley, Forner, Inslee, Paris, H. Myers, Vance, Broback, D. Sommers, Holland, Rasmussen, Brough, Dorn, Wang, Winsley, Wynne, McLean, Wood, Moyer and Rayburn).
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE
Staff: Jack Brummel (786‑7428)
Hearing Dates:April 2, 1991
BACKGROUND:
The state's juvenile justice system was reformed in 1977 with the passage of a new juvenile justice code. The reforms involved proportionate decision-making standards for intake and sentencing, the provision of full due-process rights, and the elimination of all court jurisdiction over non-criminal behavior.
Many officials who work in the juvenile justice system have recommended a review of the juvenile justice code and its interaction with other acts which affect juveniles. Racial disproportionality has also been a concern.
SUMMARY:
A Juvenile Issues Task Force is created to review past legislation and study issues pertinent to juveniles. The task force has 32 members; ten members are legislators, two of which serve as co-chairs with a third co-chair appointed by the Governor. The remainder of the task force, appointed by the Governor, includes a variety of professionals and citizens involved in juvenile justice issues. The task force is to be funded by the Department of Social and Health Services and staffed by personnel available from the membership of the task force. The Governor is to ensure racial diversity of task force members.
DSHS is to conduct a study of racial disproportionality in the juvenile justice system in cooperation with the Commission on African American Affairs. The study is to be made available to the Juvenile Issues Task Force and the Legislature.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: available