SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1929

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

         Human Services & Corrections, March 30, 1995

Title:  An act relating to jail industries.

Brief Description:  Concerning the employment of inmates.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives Brumsickle and Morris).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  3/23/95, 3/30/95 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Kohl, Long, Palmer, Prentice, Schow, Smith and Strannigan.

Staff:  Andrea McNamara (786-7483)

Background:  In 1993, the Legislature authorized the creation of a jail industries board to provide uniform assistance to local jails for the development and implementation of jail work programs.  In addition to providing advice and guidelines, the board is also mandated to ensure that local businesses or labor are not negatively impacted by jail industries.

The original legislation defined two models of jail industries, the "free venture employer model" and the "free venture customer model."  Offenders working in free venture work programs are eligible for industrial insurance benefits.

Summary of Bill:  A third model of jail industry is defined.  "Tax reduction industries" are those industries owned and operated by local jurisdictions to provide work training and employment to inmates to reduce public support costs.  The goods and services produced by these industries may be sold or donated only to public agencies, nonprofit organizations, or private contractors, when they ultimately are used by public agencies or nonprofits.

The responsibility for who must provide industrial insurance coverage is clarified for each of the three jail inmate employment models.  Cities and counties are responsible for industrial insurance obligations if a free venture industry business fails.  An additional labor and industries filing requirement is created.

The role and responsibility of the advisory board is clarified requiring the board to provide technical training assistance to local jurisdictions upon request.

Board members and their employers and employees are granted immunity from civil liability for any acts performed in good faith.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Since creation of the Jail Industries Board in 1993, much progress has been made toward developing programs in counties around the state.  This bill provides some technical changes in the original legislation needed to clarify the issues of industrial insurance and the role of the board.  It also will encourage the development of tax reduction industries like the successful greenhouse and nursery in Vancouver.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jane Johnson, Chair, State Jail Industries Board (pro).