SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6587

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

        Human Services & Corrections, February 5, 1998

Title:  An act relating to a task force on mentally ill offenders.

Brief Description:  Creating a task force on mentally ill offenders.

Sponsors:  Senators Long, Hargrove, Zarelli, Thibaudeau, Kohl and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/3/98, 2/5/98 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6587 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Long, Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Franklin, Hargrove, Kohl, Schow and Stevens.

Staff:  Richard Rodger (786-7461)

Background:  Hundreds of convicted criminal offenders are released into the community each year that pose a substantial danger to the public due to their ongoing mental illness. The release of these offenders presents a significant risk to people's lives, health, and safety, absent effective long-term monitoring, control, and treatment.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A task force is created to examine issues regarding persons convicted of a criminal offense who are mentally ill and who pose a serious risk to public safety.  The task force must examine issues such as:

(a)  identification of persons convicted of crimes who, due to their mental illness pose a serious threat to public safety;

(b)  mental health services provided to persons prior to release from a correctional facility;

(c)  appropriate methods of assuring security and apprehension of dangerous offenders who have a mental illness and who present an immediate threat to public safety or who may be in violation of conditions imposed on them by the court;

(d)  how to improve coordination of services by the Departments of Corrections and Social and Health Services; and

(e)  examining methods of providing civil law controls of dangerous offenders who are  mentally ill.

The task force must begin its deliberations no later than May 1, 1998.  The final report and recommendations are due no later than December 1, 1998.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Additional task force members are added.  The Governor must appoint specified representatives.  The scope of the duties are removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is a much needed task force.  There are many dangerous persons released from our prisons each year.  This task force can help bridge the gap between law enforcement and the medical community.

Testimony Against:  The task force should include people who are mentally ill and should focus on the effectiveness of treatment.

Testified:  Ted Wilson, Corrections (pro); Jann Hoppler, DSHS-MH (pro); Jean Wessman, Association of Counties (pro); Diana Robishaw (con).