[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to residential educational programs for at-risk youth who have been released from detention facilities; amending RCW 13.04.145; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. It is the purpose of this act to meet the needs of at-risk youth who can benefit from greater community supervision and stability of housing. Therefore, the legislature will provide funding for the creation of two residential setting alternatives for juveniles who have been released from detention centers, referred through the court system, or referred by the department of social and health services. The residential setting alternatives will provide guidance and life skills to juveniles at risk so that they may transition into society as productive members. The programs shall be available as pilot projects for at-risk males who are between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one years. Studies indicate that males between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one years are more likely than females in the same age group to become victims of gang-related activities, violence and truancy.

Sec. 2. RCW 13.04.145 and 1990 c 33 s 551 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A program of education shall be provided for by the several counties and school districts of the state for common school age persons confined in each of the detention facilities staffed and maintained by the several counties of the state under this chapter and chapters 13.16 and 13.20 RCW. The division of duties, authority, and liabilities of the several counties and school districts of the state respecting the educational programs is the same in all respects as set forth in RCW 28A.190.030 through 28A.190.060 respecting programs of education for state residential school residents. For the purposes of this section, the terms "department of social and health services," "residential school" or "schools," and "superintendent or chief administrator of a residential school" as used in RCW 28A.190.030 through 28A.190.060 shall be respectively construed to mean "the several counties of the state," "detention facilities," and "the administrator of juvenile court detention services." Nothing in this section shall prohibit a school district from utilizing the services of an educational service district subject to RCW 28A.310.180.

(2)(a)(i) The juvenile supervision and education program is a residential program for juvenile males, between the ages of thirteen and twenty-one years, who, as determined by the department or court, need a stable living and education environment that is not being provided in the home of the juvenile's parents or guardian. Any person adjudicated or convicted of a sex offense, as defined in RCW 9.94A.030, is not eligible for the program. The program participant shall agree to remain in the program for at least one year.

(ii) The department shall establish residential supervision and educational programs for those juveniles who have been released from a detention facility and need or desire a further structured environment. Entry into such programs may be determined by local superior court judges upon a finding that either the at-risk male has exhibited behaviors that can be controlled in such a setting or that such programs are beneficial for the at-risk male. The department may refer low-risk males who, as determined, would function well in such a setting and prevent possible future involvement in crime-related activity.

(iii) The following locations shall be considered as sites for a juvenile supervision and education program: A building located at Northern State Multiservice Center; and the Interlake School located at Eastern State Hospital.

(iv) The program shall be reviewed annually for appropriateness of setting.

(v) The department shall contract with local school districts to provide educational and vocational training programs at each of the locations. Community groups shall be involved in the educational and social development programs of the facilities.

(b)(i) Such educational programs shall include, at a minimum, reading programs that will ensure that juveniles assigned to the program can attain a minimum of a sixth-grade reading level.

(ii) The program shall coordinate with the school districts so that students shall be taught reading, writing, and arithmetic skills along with instruction in music, drama, or art. The educational program's goal is to assist students in achieving high school graduation credits or a graduate equivalency degree (GED).

(iii) Students shall be evaluated on a biyearly basis for approval of setting and progress. Progress reports shall be forwarded to the referring agency.

(c) The ratio of supervision shall depend on the needs of the students but shall not be fewer than those established under current state guidelines.

(d) Students who choose to remain at the facility after the age of eighteen must obtain court approval and shall make arrangements to pay for room and board on a sliding scale basis and for as long as the local superior court deems fair, but no longer than the age of majority.