SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5596

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Children & Family Services & Corrections, February 21, 2003

Title: An act relating to custodial assault at juvenile rehabilitation facilities and institutions.

Brief Description: Requiring that custodial assaults at juvenile rehabilitation facilities and institutions be reported to law enforcement.

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

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. 5596 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)

Background: In recognition of the hazardous nature of their work, employees working for the Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Natural Resources are eligible for a supplementary reimbursement if they are assaulted by a resident, patient or juvenile offender, suffer injury as a result and miss days of work. The criteria for filing a claim for reimbursement are listed in detail in RCW 72.01.045. There is no requirement that assaults be reported to law enforcement.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration must adopt rules applicable to all juvenile rehabilitation facilities. The rules must define custodial assault, and require that all custodial assaults on employees be reported to law enforcement.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: Specific statutory references are added for custodial assault and assaults to employees.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: Employees have been assaulted on the job, but management does not always report it to local law enforcement. Sometimes employees are left to do it themselves. Some employees feel that they will be retaliated against if they make a report. Juvenile offenders should be held accountable for their actions. If they know they can act without consequences, there is no incentive for them to behave. This puts employees at risk.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Victoria Matlock, Naselle Youth Camp (pro); David Griffith, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (pro); Dennis Eagle, Washington Federation of State Employees (pro); Patty Campbell, Maple Lane School (pro); Sherry Appleton, Washington Defender Association (concerns); Allie Thurman, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (pro).