SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5588

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Children & Family Services & Corrections, February 21, 2003

Title: An act relating to pilot regional correctional facilities.

Brief Description: Requiring a plan to establish pilot regional correctional facilities.

Sponsors: Senators Kline, Esser, Roach and Kohl-Welles; by request of Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Children & Family Services & Corrections: 2/12/03, 2/21/03 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5588 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Parlette, Vice Chair; Carlson, Deccio, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Regala.

Staff: Tony Rugel (786-7754)

Background: Concerns have been raised that changes in the Sentencing Reform Act have resulted in the increase of jail and prison sentences, as well as an increase in the number of inmates. To reduce the burden of these increases and to make a more economic use of state and local funds, some feel that state and local corrections authorities could share resources and jurisdiction over regional correctional facilities.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The Sentencing Guidelines Commission must present to the Legislature a plan for establishing pilot regional correctional facilities no later than December 31, 2003. The plan includes numerous elements regarding the effective and efficient sharing of resources between local and state correctional authorities.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The proposed substitute specifically defines the inmate population who serve terms of confinement at regional correctional facilities. It also requires recommendations that capacity, as well as resources, are shared by the state and local entity where these facilities are located.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: Importance was given to local control which will be provided by regional correctional facilities.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: John Austin, Indeterminate Sentence Review Board & Sentencing Guidelines Commission (pro).