SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6151

                AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 1, 1994

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to discharge of offenders.

SPONSORS: Senators A. Smith, Ludwig, Quigley and Niemi; by request of Department of Corrections

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; Ludwig, Vice Chairman; Hargrove, Nelson, Quigley, Schow and Spanel.

Staff:  Susan Carlson (786‑7418)

Hearing Dates: January 26, 1994; February 2, 1994

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chairman; Quigley, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hargrove, Hochstatter, Ludwig, McDonald, Moyer, Niemi, Pelz, L. Smith, Snyder, Spanel, Sutherland, Talmadge, Williams and Wojahn.

Staff:  Linda Brownell (786-7913)

Hearing Dates:  February 7, 1994; February 8, 1994

BACKGROUND:

In felony cases where the standard range does not exceed 12 months of incarceration, the court may impose a term of community supervision in addition to other penalties.  Although some offenders complete the requirements of their sentence prior to the end of the term of community supervision, the Department of Corrections must continue to supervise them.  It has been suggested that offenders who complete all requirements of their sentence should be allowed to request early termination from supervision. 

SUMMARY:

An offender on community supervision for a crime other than a violent offense or a sex offense may be considered for a discharge of sentence by the sentencing court prior to the completion of community supervision.  The offender must have  completed at least one-half of the term of supervision and must have met all other sentence requirements. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR (Law & Justice):

The bill gives offenders some incentive to complete their sentence requirements early.  Early termination of supervision will allow corrections officers to spend more time on other offenders needing more supervision and will result in some cost savings.

TESTIMONY AGAINST (Law & Justice):  None

TESTIFIED (Law & Justice):  Robert Moore, Department of Corrections (pro)

TESTIMONY FOR (Ways & Means):

This generates a small savings for the Department of Corrections at no risk to communities and allows corrections officers to spend more time on serious offenders.

TESTIMONY AGAINST (Ways & Means):  None

TESTIFIED (Ways & Means):  Dave Savage, Director of Community Corrections, Department of Corrections