SENATE BILL REPORT
SB
5328
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Law & Justice, February 15, 1995
Title: An act relating to juvenile services.
Brief Description: Revising provisions relating to juvenile probation and detention services.
Sponsors: Senators Deccio, Sellar, Smith, Schow and Winsley.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 2/6/95, 2/15/95 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Smith, Chair; C. Anderson, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, McCaslin, Quigley, Roach and Schow.
Staff: Lidia Mori (786-7755)
Background: Juvenile court probation counselor and detention services are administered by the superior court, unless there is agreement with the legislative authority that they are administered by the legislative authority of the county, and there is local court rule to that effect. The legislative authority in some counties believes that juvenile and probation services should not be administered by the superior court. However, the superior court and the legislative authority have been unable to resolve the issue.
Summary of Bill: Juvenile probation counselor and detention services are administered by the superior court unless the county legislative authority passes an ordinance that requires alternative administration of such services.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested February 6, 1995.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The bill gives an option to the counties if they want to take over juvenile probation and detention services. The commissioners could hire an administrator to handle these services.
Testimony Against: Juvenile detention facilities are not like adult facilities. Detention is not the same as jail; there is a rehabilitation component.
Testified: Senator Deccio, prime sponsor; Diane Oberquell, Thurston County Commissioner (pro); Rosanne Buckner, Superior Court Judges Assn. (con).