SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   2SSB 5830

                       AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 18, 1991

Brief Description:  Creating gang risk intervention pilot programs.

SPONSORS:Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Stratton, Erwin, Rasmussen, Williams, Talmadge, Wojahn, Vognild, Pelz, Snyder and Owen).

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5830 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Roach, Chairman; L. Smith, Vice Chairman; Craswell, Stratton, and Talmadge. 

Staff:  Joanne Conrad (786‑7190)

Hearing Dates:March 5, 1991; March 6, 1991

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5830 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, L. Kreidler, Metcalf, Murray, Newhouse, Niemi, Rinehart, Saling, L. Smith, Talmadge, West, Williams, and Wojahn. 

Staff:  Cindi Holmstrom (786-7715)

Hearing Dates:  March 11, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Intensification of youth gang involvement, with its accompanying crime and violence, increasingly threatens not only the property and safety of the citizens of Washington, but the future of the youth themselves.  Local government, law enforcement and the educational system are increasingly overwhelmed by efforts to cope with the many social, business and criminal justice costs arising from youth gang activities.

Other jurisdictions have attempted creative statutory approaches to youth gang risk intervention, such as cultural awareness programs, targeted counselling efforts and special business and job apprenticeship mentoring.  In a social matrix where traditional educational and counselling methods have proved ineffective, many creative new ideas are being tried throughout the country.

SUMMARY:

A youth gang violence reduction program is established to develop a positive prevention and intervention pilot program for elementary and secondary school youth.  The program utilizes multi-agency cooperation, along with efforts of business and local government.

The Department of Community Development may contract with school districts, developing proposals to curtail violence and reduce drop-out rates, by using broad-based community and business support, and a "retreat" format.  The "gang risk prevention and intervention pilot program" will include the elements of: counselling for targeted at-risk students, including their parents and families; exposure to positive sports and cultural activities; job and job search training; positive interaction with law enforcement; and cultural awareness retreats at facilities provided by the division of juvenile rehabilitation.

The Department of Labor and Industries will provide assistance with apprenticeship programs, including application help and a joint apprenticeship mentor program, presented at cultural awareness retreats. 

The Employment Security Department will provide job counselors to assist at cultural awareness retreats, providing information and testing, and coordinating the involvement of small business owners and corporate managers in a "business mentor program."

The act is contingent upon funding in the Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:   available

TESTIMONY FOR (Children & Family Services):

Radical change in environment combined with counseling assists lifestyle changes for gang members.  Cultural relevance and awareness component of programs is the most important.

TESTIMONY AGAINST (Children & Family Services):

Fiscal impact is potentially large.

TESTIFIED (Children & Family Services):  PRO:  Charles Carson, community activist, former gang member; Margaret Martinez, Children's Alliance; Mark McDermott, Labor & Industries; Michael Curtis, Office of Administrator for the Courts; CON:  Jerry Wasson, DSHS/DJR

TESTIMONY FOR (Ways & Means):

We urge your support for consideration and passage of this bill.

TESTIMONY AGAINST (Ways & Means):  None

TESTIFIED (Ways & Means):  Margaret Casey, Children's Alliance (pro)