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

SB 5972

Brief Description:  Releasing juvenile offenders.

Sponsors:  By Senator Hargrove; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Requires juvenile offenders sentenced under a finding of manifest injustice to comply with the parole requirements applicable to other offenders.

Hearing Date:  3/27/01

Staff:  Jean Ann Quinn (786‑7310).

Background: 

The Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services (Secretary) sets a release date for each juvenile committed to its custody, except in the case of a juvenile committed by a court pursuant to a finding of ?manifest injustice.@ ?Manifest injustice@ means that the standard range disposition would either impose an excessive penalty or impose a serious and clear danger to society in light of the purposes of the Juvenile Justice Act.  If the court determines that a standard range disposition would effectuate a manifest injustice, the court may impose a disposition outside the standard range.

The release date must be within the prescribed range for the offense.  Following the release of any juvenile for whom a release date has been established, the Secretary may require the juvenile to comply with a program of parole for up to 18 months.  Offenders sentenced for certain sex offenses are required to complete a 24-36 month parole program.

Summary of Bill: 

The Secretary is required to set a release date for offenders sentenced to a commitment range under a finding of manifest injustice, and such offenders are subject to the parole requirements applicable to other offenders.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.