HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1333

             As Reported By House Committee On:

            Trade, Economic Development & Housing

                       Appropriations

Title:  An act relating to youth gang violence reduction.

Brief Description:  Providing for youth gang violence reduction.

Sponsors:  Representatives Flemming, Leonard, Veloria, Chappell, R. Fisher, Dunshee, Linville, Eide, Franklin, Ludwig, Roland, Rayburn, Pruitt, Finkbeiner, Holm, Basich, Lemmon, Johanson, Karahalios, Jones, H. Myers, Morris, L. Johnson, Ogden and J. Kohl.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Trade, Economic Development & Housing, March 1, 1993, DPS;

Appropriations, March 6, 1993, DPS(TEH-A APP).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives Wineberry, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Forner, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Conway; Morris; Quall; Schoesler; Sheldon; Springer; Valle; and Wood.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:  The problem of youth gang violence has increased in recent years.  Local law enforcement agencies and school districts are working to address the problem of youth gang activity and violence on the streets and in the schools.  While most efforts to control gang activity have focused on law enforcement responses, there have been only a few efforts aimed at gang prevention or intervention.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A Gang Risk Prevention and Intervention Pilot Program is created.  The state may provide grants or technical assistance to local school districts or community organizations to reduce the probability of youth gang activities at the local level.

The Department of Community Development (DCD) may contract with school districts to develop community-based gang risk prevention and intervention programs at the local level.  A school district's proposal must be for a two-year period and must include a description of program area, demonstration of broad-based business and community support, qualifications of community organizations, description of program goals, activities, curriculum, and proposed budget for expenditure of grant funds.

The local pilot programs must contain counseling for at-risk students and their families, exposure to sports and cultural activities, job training and apprenticeship programs, positive interaction with local law enforcement personnel, use of local organizations for job search training skills, cultural awareness retreats, community service activities, and use of full service schools.

A school district in a county with a population in excess of 190,000 may subcontract to public entities and individual schools or community organizations to establish gang risk prevention and intervention programs.  The proposal must be reviewed and a recommendation made by a committee consisting of a representative from the school district, a representative appointed by DCD, and a representative from the local juvenile court administration.  School districts must monitor and evaluate the funded local pilot programs.

When requested, the following state services are provided to local community organizations or school districts in counties with a population in excess of 190,000.

The Employment Security Department (ESD) may provide a job counselor to assist in the cultural awareness retreats.  The services of the job counselor includes testing for job occupation preferences, information on various occupations, establishing a business mentor program between businesses and youth, and other services as needed.

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) may provide information on skills and educational background needed for apprenticeship programs, assistance to program participants applying for apprenticeship programs, explore feasibility of pre-apprenticeship programs, assist in establishing a joint apprenticeship mentor program, and assistance at cultural awareness retreats.

The Division of Juvenile Rehabilitation (DJR) must, in cooperation with businesses or an interagency agreement with state parks and recreation or Department of Natural Resources, provide facilities for cultural awareness retreats.  DJR may provide other services including a person with knowledge of juvenile gang behavior.  DJR must notify the departments of Labor and Industries, and Employment Security of the date, time, and place of the retreat.

The cultural awareness retreat must include programs designed to help develop positive attitudes and self-esteem, youth decision-making ability, career and educational development, and respect for community and ethnic origin.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill: (1) lowers the county threshold population from 350,000 to 190,000 for school districts to subcontract with individual schools for gang risk prevention and intervention programs; and (2) adds a null and void clause to the bill.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Appropriation:  If specific funding is not provided in the Omnibus Appropriations Act, the provisions of the bill are null and void.

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

Testimony For:  Gang activity has increased to a point that nearly every community has a problem.  The youth are turning to gangs.  We need to offer an alternative to gangs and provide something that will give them hope.  This bill is a proactive approach to the problem.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Flemming, prime sponsor (Pro); Michelle Boyd, Department of Community Development (Pro); Rose Quinby, Puget Sound Education District (Pro); Henry Mincey, Safe Streets (Pro); Harvey Brooks (Pro); Bob Gulling (Pro); Margaret Casey, Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administration (Pro); and Marcia Holland, Washington State Parent Teacher Association.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill by Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing be substituted therefor and the substitute bill as amended by Committee on Appropriations do pass.  Signed by 21 members:  Representatives Locke, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Minority Member; Carlson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Basich; Cooke; Dellwo; Dorn; Dunshee; G. Fisher; Jacobsen; Lemmon; Linville; Peery; Rust; Sommers; Talcott; Wang; Wineberry; and Wolfe.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 4 members:  Representatives Ballasiotes; Sehlin; Sheahan; and Stevens.

Staff:  Nancy Stevenson (786-7137).

Summary of Recommendation of Committee on Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing:  A technical correction is adopted making the language for eligible school districts consistent throughout the bill.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on substitute March 4, 1993.

Appropriation:  If specific funding is not provided in the Omnibus Appropriations Act, the provisions of the bill are null and void.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.  However, the bill is null and void if not funded in the budget.

Testimony For:  We need to provide alternatives to kids that prevent gangs and gang violence.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  John Kramme, Tacoma Public Schools and Washington State Parent Teacher Association (pro);  Margaret Casey, Children's Alliance (pro); and Joan Yoshitome, Seattle School District (pro).