SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6152

                    AS OF JANUARY 21, 1994

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to the supervision of misdemeanants.

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

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Susan Mahoney (786‑7717)

Hearing Dates: January 26, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Currently, judges routinely sentence misdemeanor defendants to periods of probation and direct that the defendants be supervised by the Department of Corrections (DOC) rather than by local probation agencies.  This situation occurs most often in cases originally filed as felonies in superior court that eventually result in misdemeanor convictions for one reason or another.

In 1993, the Department of Corrections budget was cut by $1.3 million.  This amount was the exact amount that had been identified and allotted in the DOC budget for the supervision of misdemeanants.  As a result of the budget cuts, the DOC is concerned that they are no longer able to adequately supervise misdemeanants.

SUMMARY:

The Secretary of Corrections is no longer required to provide supervision for offenders convicted of misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor charges and sentenced to probation.  There are also technical revisions made to update statutory language.

Appropriation:  none 

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 21, 1994