HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2003

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Human Services

 

Title:  An act relating to juvenile offenders.

 

Brief Description:  Affecting juvenile offenders.

 

Sponsors:  Representative Morris.

 

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, March 3, 1993, DPS.

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

 

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Riley, Vice Chair; Cooke, Ranking Minority Member; Talcott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brown; Lisk; Padden; Patterson; Thibaudeau; and Wolfe.

 

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

 

Background:  The crime of "stalking" was established by statute during the 1992 Legislative Session.  It is not currently referenced in the juvenile sentencing schedule.  The definition of a "middle offender" is complex and created some uncertainty in some juvenile courts.

 

 Summary of Substitute Bill:  Stalking with no prior stalkings and stalking with prior stalkings are added to the juvenile disposition sentencing schedule. The definition of "middle offender" is clarified and simplified.

 

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  A sentencing option, called Maximum Supervision for Juvenile Offenders, with between 80 and 109 points, was removed from the legislation.  A structured transition program for juvenile offenders who have served 100 percent of their minimum term of confinement was removed from the legislation.  An appropriation of $5 million to fund the proposed structured transition program was removed from the legislation.

 

Fiscal Note:  Requested March 1, 1993.

 

Appropriation:  The substitute bill removes the $5 million appropriation from the general fund to the Department of Social and Health Services.

 

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

 

Testimony For:  These technical changes to the juvenile sentencing schedule are necessary to ensure the uniform, speedy administration of justice.

 

Testimony Against:  None.

 

Witnesses:  (Pro): Representative Morris, prime sponsor; Alex Barkis, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; Jerry Wasson, Department of Social and Health Services; and John Turner and Keith Anderson, Juvenile Sentencing Commission.