BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to siting of work release facilities; and amending RCW 72.65.210 and 72.65.220.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 72.65.210 and 1995 c 399 s 203 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department shall establish, by rule, inmate eligibility standards for participation in the work release program.

(2) The department shall:

(a) Conduct an annual examination of each work release facility and its security procedures;

(b) Investigate and set standards for the inmate supervision policies of each work release facility;

(c) Establish physical standards for future work release structures to ensure the safety of inmates, employees, and the surrounding communities;

(d) Evaluate its recordkeeping of serious infractions to determine if infractions are properly and consistently assessed against inmates eligible for work release;

(e) Report to the legislature on a case management procedure to evaluate and determine those inmates on work release who are in need of treatment. The department shall establish in the report a written treatment plan best suited to the inmate's needs, cost, and the relationship of community placement and community corrections officers to a system of case management;

(f) Adopt a policy to encourage businesses employing work release inmates to contact the appropriate work release facility whenever an inmate is absent from his or her work schedule. The department of corrections shall provide each employer with written information and instructions on who should be called if a work release employee is absent from work or leaves the job site without authorization; and

(g) Develop a siting policy, in conjunction with cities, counties, community groups, and the department of community, trade, and economic development for the establishment of additional work release facilities. Such policy shall include at least the following elements: (i) Guidelines for appropriate site selection of work-release facilities; (ii) notification requirements to local government and community groups of intent to site a work release facility; and (iii) guidelines for effective community relations by the work release program operator.

((~~The department shall comply with the requirements of this section by July 1, 1990.~~))

Sec. 2. RCW 72.65.220 and 1994 c 271 s 1001 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department and other state agencies that have responsibility for siting the department's facilities shall establish a process for early and continuous public participation in establishing or relocating work release or other community-based facilities. This process shall include public meetings in the local communities affected, opportunities for written and oral comments, and wide dissemination of proposals and alternatives.

(2) The department may establish or relocate a work release or other community-based facility only after holding local public meetings and providing public notification to local communities consistent with this chapter.

(3) When the department has selected three or fewer sites for final consideration for site selection of a work release or other community-based facility, notification shall be given and public hearings shall be held in the final three or fewer local communities where the siting is proposed. Additional notification and a public hearing shall also be conducted in the local community selected as the final proposed site, prior to completion of the siting process. All hearings and notifications shall be consistent with this chapter.

(4) Throughout this process the department shall provide notification to all newspapers of general circulation in the local area and all local radio stations, television stations, and cable networks.

(5) Notice shall also be provided to appropriate school districts, private schools, kindergartens, city and county libraries, and all other local government offices within a one-half mile radius of the proposed facility.

(6) In addition, the department shall also provide notice to the local chamber of commerce, local economic development agencies, and any other local organizations that request such notification from the department.

(7) Notification in writing shall be provided to all residents and/or property owners within a one-half mile radius of the proposed site.

(8) This section shall not apply if a local governmental entity proposes a site or sites in its jurisdiction which satisfies the guidelines for appropriate site selection as established by the department in conjunction with local communities for a work release facility. In such case, the local governmental entity shall hold a public hearing in accordance with local zoning requirements regarding the proposed site or sites and may issue a permit to the department for construction and operation of a work release facility at one of the proposed sites at the conclusion of the hearing, after due consideration of all the evidence presented.