HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2426

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                         Corrections

Title:  An act relating to juvenile justice.

Brief Description:  Requiring a legislative review of the Juvenile Justice Act of 1977.

Sponsors:  Representatives Appelwick, Wineberry, Scott, Karahalios, Johanson, J. Kohl, Romero, Thibaudeau, Conway, Holm and Jones.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Corrections, February 3, 1994, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Morris, Chair; Mastin, Vice Chair; Long, Ranking Minority Member; Edmondson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; G. Cole; L. Johnson; Moak; Ogden and Padden.

Staff:  Kristen Lichtenberg (786-7156).

Background:  In 1977 the Legislature passed RCW 13.40, the Juvenile Justice Act, which created a determinate disposition system for juveniles.  The act had dual goals:  punishment and rehabilitation.  Under the act, juvenile offenders receive dispositions based on their offender category, age, current offense and criminal history.  The act's "just desserts" sentencing plan means that similarly-situated juveniles receive the same sentences, but the act limits judicial discretion.

Summary of Bill:  The bill finds that the 1977 act requires review, and it directs committees of the House and Senate to review the act and make recommendations for revision of the juvenile justice system.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 24, 1994.

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

Testimony For:  Current juvenile justices' laws require revision.  Present law does not give parents enough authority over their children.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Greg Gooch, Toughlove Northwest, Tacoma Parent Support Group (pro); Rick Benoit, Toughlove Northwest, Tacoma Parent Support Group (pro); Doug Blair, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; Jim Gleason, WASPC; Pat Arthur, Evergreen Legal Services, Seattle (con); Virginia Penn, Mothers Against Gangs (pro); Steve Johnston, Pierce County Juvenile Court (pro); Mel Jewell, Cowlitz County Juvenile Court (pro); and Lois Smith, Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administrators (pro).