Title: An act relating to changing minimum requirements for the existing secure community transition facility.

Brief Description: Changing minimum requirements for the existing secure community transition facility.

Sponsors: Senators Stevens, Hargrove, Parlette, Regala, Carlson, McAuliffe and Winsley.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill

(As Amended by House Committee)

• Changes the minimum staffing ratios at the Secure Community Transition Facility on McNeil Island to one staff member to three residents during waking hours, and one staff member to four residents during normal sleeping hours.

• Removes the requirement that a law enforcement officer be present on the island 24 hours a day, seven days a week and establishes that the emergency response team for McNeil Island will plan, coordinate, and respond to any escape from the special commitment center or the secure community transition facility.

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Fromhold, Vice Chair; Sehlin, Ranking Minority Member; Pearson, Asst Ranking Minority Member; Alexander; Boldt; Buck; Clements; Cody; Cox; DeBolt; Dunshee; Grant; Hunter; Kagi; Kessler; Linville; McIntire; Miloscia; Ruderman; Schual-Berke and Sump.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Conway; McDonald and Talcott.

Under current law, the Secure Community Transition Facility (SCTF) on McNeil Island has a minimum staffing ratio of one staff member to each resident during normal waking hours and two staff members for every three residents during normal sleeping hours while the facility has six or fewer residents.

The legislation authorizing the construction and occupation of the SCTF on McNeil Island required that a law enforcement officer to be on the island 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This requirement is currently being met by Washington State Patrol officers working overtime.

Changes to minimum staffing ratios for SCTFs or to the requirement for 24-hour law enforcement for the SCTF on McNeil Island may be made only by the Legislature.

Minimum staffing ratios at the SCTF on McNeil Island are one staff member to three residents during normal waking hours and one staff member to four residents during normal sleeping hours subject to a minimum of two staff per housing unit.

The section requiring a 24-hour law enforcement officer to be present on the island is repealed.

The emergency response team for McNeil Island will plan, coordinate, and respond to any escape from the special commitment center or the SCTF.

The amended bill adds the requirement for the emergency response team to plan, coordinate, and respond to any escape.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2003.