Title: An act relating to studying juvenile offender case filings.

Brief Description: Requiring a study of juvenile offender case filings.

Sponsors: Senators Stevens, Hargrove and Kohl-Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 2/15/05, 2/24/05 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5834 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Brandland, Carrell and McAuliffe.

Staff: Kiki Keizer (786-7430)

Background: Statistical data available from the Administrative Office of the Courts suggests that juvenile offender case filings in King County have dropped at a faster rate than juvenile offender case filings in the other counties in the state.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) is required to study the reduction in juvenile offender case filings in King County, as compared to other counties in the state. JLARC is required to incorporate specific factors into study and to examine data over a 10-year period. JLARC must report to the legislature by December 1, 2005, providing a detailed explanation of the factors contributing to the differences in the rates at which juvenile offender filings are decreasing. JLARC's report must include recommendations for best practices that could be implemented to achieve comparable results in counties other than King.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: JLARC is required to incorporate specific factors into study and to examine data over a 10-year period. The intent section is modified.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: Effectively implementing programs directed at youth can result in healthier families and safer neighborhoods. In addition, the state and local jurisdictions can save money by incarcerating fewer kids. King County's success may be something that could be replicated throughout the state.

It's important to look at factors besides prosecutorial practices to get a full picture of what is going on in King County's juvenile justice system. Leadership in King County has gone through an extensive planning process and made a commitment to effectively work with kids. Fifty percent of juvenile offenders go to research-based programs, such as Aggression Replacement Training, Functional Family Therapy, and Multi-systemic Therapy. King County has also established drug court and treatment court to address the needs of children with co-occurring disorders. King County has also benefitted from foundation funds, including grants for services to Becca families.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Bruce Knutson, King County Superior Court Juvenile Court Administrator; Jim Street, Reinvesting in Youth.