HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5234

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                         Corrections

Title:  An act relating to eligibility for juvenile offender basic training camp.

Brief Description:  Modifying eligibility for juvenile offender basic training camp option.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Smith, Long, Haugen and Kohl; by request of Department of Social and Health Services).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Corrections:  3/28/95, 3/29/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Blanton, Vice Chairman; Sherstad, Vice Chairman; Quall, Ranking Minority Member; Tokuda, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cole; Dickerson; Koster; Radcliff; K. Schmidt and Schoesler.

Staff:  Antonio Sanchez (786-7383).

Background:  The 1994 Legislature directed the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) to operate or contract for a 120-day juvenile offender basic training camp (E2SHB 2319, Section 542, C 7 L 94).  The "boot camp" was authorized for 70 youths who are middle offenders with a disposition of at least 52 weeks, but not more than 78 weeks.  Sex and violent offenders are excluded. 

Under the current juvenile sentencing structure, only 15-18 offenders would be eligible for the program based on this criteria. 

Summary of Bill:   The eligibility requirement of a minimum disposition of 52 weeks is eliminated.  Juveniles with dispositions of any length up to 78 weeks are now eligible to participate in the juvenile offender basic training camp program.

The department is required to perform a risk assessment on every offender referred to the program and to exclude from participation in the basic training camp any candidate who is assessed as a high risk offender.

Eligible offenders may participate in the 120-day program at any time during their disposition.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  These changes are needed to allow the proposed juvenile offender basic training camp to enroll sufficient offenders to initiate and maintain the program.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  John Brengle, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (pro).