HB 2319 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

     Declares an intent to:  (1) Prevent youth violence by promoting nonviolent means for resolving conflicts;

     (2) improve outcomes for at-risk families and children by enhancing the availability of family support services;

     (3) expand opportunities for at-risk youth to engage in productive activities, such as employment and training, peer counseling, mentoring, and recreation, that provide viable alternatives to violence;

     (4) empower communities to prioritize and coordinate family services and youth violence prevention and intervention activities that meet local needs;

     (5) protect public safety by strengthening the system for transitioning juvenile offenders from state facilities to the community;

     (6) protect public safety by limiting juveniles' access to firearms, particularly handguns, and by encouraging safe storage of firearms; and

     (7) demonstrate that violence by youth will not be tolerated by increasing the severity and certainty of punishment for youth who commit violent acts or offenses involving firearms.

     Makes various appropriations to carry out the purposes of the act.

     Repeals RCW 9.41.030, 9.41.093, 9.41.100, 9.41.130, 9.41.200, 9.41.210, and 9.41.230.