HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1535

                       As Passed House

                        March 9, 1993

Title:  An act relating to fees for juvenile diversion services.

Brief Description:  Authorizing counties to charge a fee for juvenile court diversion services.

Sponsors:  Representatives Johanson, Padden, Horn, Wood, Cothern, Finkbeiner, R. Meyers, H. Myers, J. Kohl, Brown, Shin, Eide, Zellinsky, Thibaudeau, Leonard, Long, Rayburn, Basich and L. Johnson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, February 17, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, March 9, 1993, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Leonard, Chair; Riley, Vice Chair; Cooke, Ranking Minority Member; Talcott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brown; Karahalios; Lisk; Padden; Patterson; Thibaudeau; and Wolfe.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  Currently there is no authority for the juvenile courts to establish fees for juvenile diversion services. Diversion results from an agreement between the juvenile and the diversion unit whereby the juvenile accused of an offense agrees to fulfill certain conditions in lieu of prosecution. Diversion services may include community service, restitution, counseling or educational/ informational sessions and fines.

Summary of Bill:  County legislative authorities may authorize juvenile court administrators to establish fees to cover the costs of administration and operation of juvenile diversion services.

Parents or guardians are liable for the costs of these services based on their ability to pay, and administrators are required to develop a fair and equitable payment schedule. However, no diversion services may be denied because of an inability to pay.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Juvenile courts should have the ability to charge juveniles for diversion services.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Susan Waild, Conference Committee Division, King County Superior Court; and Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society.