FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5457

                           C 91 L 99

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to conditions involving diversion agreements for juveniles.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Costa, Zarelli, Hargrove and Long).

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

House Committee on Judiciary

Background:  Concern exists over juveniles accused of crimes initiating contact with victims or witnesses of crimes they are accused of committing.  A diversion agreement is a contract between a juvenile accused of committing an offense and a diversionary unit in which the juvenile agrees to certain conditions in lieu of prosecution.

Summary:  A diversion agreement may include a requirement that, upon the request of the victim or witness, the juvenile who entered into the diversion agreement must refrain from any contact with victims or witnesses of offenses committed by the juvenile.

When a respondent declines to enter into a diversion agreement, the courts may impose terms of community supervision that exceed conditions allowed in a diversion agreement.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 42 0

House     95 0

Effective:  July 25, 1999