Title: An act relating to a study by the institute for public policy to create a system to encourage investment in proven intervention and prevention programs for at-risk youth.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Law (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, Delvin, Kagi, O'Brien, Kenney and Upthegrove).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

• Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to, among other things, identify cost-effective programs that preserve families and reduce youth crime and report to the legislature options for financial and other incentives designed to encourage local government investment in those programs.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Dickerson, Chair; Pettigrew, Vice Chair; Delvin, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Eickmeyer, Hinkle and Upthegrove.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) is a statutorily created committee of eight senators and eight representatives, equally divided between the two major political parties. The JLARC staff conducts performance audits, program evaluations, sunset reviews and other policy and fiscal studies. The JLARC may examine issues, hold hearings, make findings, report to the Legislature, and conduct any other business relating to economy, efficiency and effectiveness in state government.

The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) is a research organization created by the Legislature to provide nonpartisan research at legislative direction on issues of importance to Washington. In May 2001 the WSIPP published its report, The Comparative Costs and Benefits of Programs to Reduce Crime, which focused on the economics of various nationwide programs designed to reduce criminal behavior in adults and juveniles.

The JLARC is required to, among other things, review and analyze research, including research conducted by the WSIPP, to identify cost-effective programs that preserve families and reduce juvenile crime. The JLARC must report on the costs, benefits, and outcomes of identified programs that have been successfully implemented by local jurisdictions in the state. The JLARC must also report options for financial and other incentives designed to encourage local government investment in cost-effective programs. Among the incentives that may be considered are those that reimburse local jurisdictions for a portion of the savings that accrue to the state. The JLARC must submit an interim report to the legislature by September 1, 2004 and a final report by September 1, 2005.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This bill will help put resources where it is needed in cost-effective programs. It is budget-neutral. The bill does not require the state to go after money in other programs. The goal is to increase the money available in the juvenile justice system. The study will help us identify how to capture resources and reinvest those resources in the same prevention programs that were successful in saving money.

(With concerns) The terms "high risk," "prevention" and "intervention" are code words for psychiatric screening of kids, and could result in the unwanted psychiatric treatment and medication of kids.

Testified: (In support) Representative Dickerson, prime sponsor; Representative Jarrett; Norm Maleng, King County Prosecutor; and Jim Street, Director, Reinvesting in Youth.