Brief Description: Revising provisions relating to the use of risk assessments in the supervision of offenders who committed misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove and Stevens).

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections
House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections
House Committee on Appropriations

Background: In 2003, the legislature passed ESSB 5990, which eliminated the Department of Corrections (DOC) supervision of certain felony offenders. Current law requires the DOC to perform a risk assessment of felony offenders in order to classify them into one of four risk management classifications. Rather than supervising all felony offenders, the DOC supervises only felony offenders who rank in the two highest risk management classifications or who have been convicted of specific offenses (regardless of risk classification) or who have treatment requirements, first-time offender waivers, or supervision transferred to Washington from another state.

The DOC is also responsible for supervising persons who are convicted of a misdemeanor or a gross misdemeanor in Superior Court.

Summary: The law requiring the DOC to perform risk assessments on felony offenders is extended to require the DOC to perform risk assessments on misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor probationers who are sentenced in Superior Court. The DOC's supervision of misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor probationers is limited to misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor probationers who are sentenced in Superior Court and who rank in the two highest risk management classifications or who have been convicted of specific offenses (regardless of risk classification) or who have treatment requirements, first-time offender waivers, or supervision transferred to Washington from another state.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      47   0
House      97   0

Effective: May 10, 2005