SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1535

   AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, MARCH 23, 1993

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

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; Hargrove, McCaslin, Nelson, Niemi, Roach, and Spanel.

Staff:  Alan Caplan (786‑7465)

Hearing Dates: March 23, 1993

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:

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.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill will produce revenue for county diversion programs and will provide incentives for parents to monitor their children's behavior.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Johanson, prime sponsor; Susan Waild, King County Superior Court (pro)