Title: An act relating to reimbursing political subdivisions for criminal justice costs incurred in an institution under the jurisdiction of the secretary of the department of social and health services.

Brief Description: Reimbursing political subdivisions for criminal justice costs incurred in an institution under the jurisdiction of the secretary of the department of social and health services.

Sponsors: Representatives DeBolt, Chase and Alexander.

Brief History:

Local Government: 2/21/05, 2/24/05 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Simpson, Chair; Clibborn, Vice Chair; Schindler, Ranking Minority Member; Ahern, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; B. Sullivan and Takko.

Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).

Background:

State law requires the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to reimburse local governments for the costs related to the prosecution of crimes committed by certain juvenile and adult offenders residing in institutions managed by the DSHS. Such reimbursement must be paid out of an "institutional impact account" created in the State Treasury, and is limited to law enforcement, prosecutorial, judicial, and jail facilities costs that are strictly related to the criminal activities of the offender.

Summary of Bill:

The reimbursement obligations of the DSHS to local governments are expanded to include criminal justice costs incurred as the result of criminal behavior by the staff of certain institutions managed by the DSHS and which occurs during the course of the employment of such staff. The maximum dollar amount of reimbursement for criminal investigation costs is limited to the wages, including fringe benefits, paid to law enforcement personnel investigating the crime.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This bill is the result of ongoing problems at Greenhill School (a juvenile reformatory) that occur when staff are accused of assaults and other crimes by the residents of the school. Currently, the state patrol has jurisdiction to investigate such accusations, but it lacks the resources necessary to quickly complete the investigation and resolve the issue in a timely and efficient manner. Local law enforcement is in a much better position to investigate such alleged crimes, but it would need additional funding in order to do so quickly and efficiently. Accordingly, this bill is needed so that local law enforcement agencies can receive funding from the DSHS.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative DeBolt, prime sponsor; and Dale Miller, Chehalis Police Department.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.