Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Juvenile Justice & Family Law Committee

HB 2454

Brief Description:  Studying programs for at‑risk youth intervention.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dickerson, Esser, Jarrett, Darneille, Tokuda and Haigh.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Directs the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) to conduct research and recommend criteria, processes and institutional arrangements to allow best‑practices to be state‑certified, estimate reductions in state justice system caseloads and estimate cost‑savings for intervention and prevention programs for youth at high risk for involvement with the juvenile or adult justice systems.

Hearing Date:  1/23/02

Staff:  Tracey Taylor (786‑7196).

Background:

The Washington Legislature created the Washington State Institute for Public Policy(WSIPP) in 1983. The Board of Directors, which governs WSIPP and guides the development of all activities, consists of representatives from the legislature, the Governor=s office and public universities.

The WSIPP's mission is to carry out practical, non‑partisan researchCat legislative directionCon issues of importance to Washington State. The WSIPP conducts research activities using its own policy analysts and economists, specialists from universities, and consultants.

The WSIPP published The Comparative Costs and Benefits of Programs to Reduce Crime in May 2001.  The report focused on the economics of various programs designed to reduce criminal behavior in adults and juveniles.  The approach was similar to that of a financial analysis performed by an investment advisor to study the rates of return on various investment options. The study found that Washington has some good investment options as well as some bad investment options.  The study also found that a program that can achieve even a relatively small reduction in crime can be cost‑beneficial.  The WSIPP recommended that programs that work should be evaluated.  Finally, the study recommended a portfolio approach in allocating prevention and intervention moneys.

Summary of Bill:

The WSIPP is directed to conduct research necessary to develop and make recommendations to the legislature regarding the criteria, processes and institutional arrangements needed to :

  (1) state‑certify proven best practices in intervention and prevention programs focused on youth at risk for involvement in the adult or juvenile justice systems;

  (2) estimate any resulting reductions in the state justice system caseloads;

  (3) estimate the unit cost and the total cost savings for the intervention and prevention

 programs.

The findings and recommendations must be reported to the legislature by December 15, 2002.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 28, 2002.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on April 1, 2002.