READ FIRST TIME 02/03/06.   

     AN ACT Relating to creating a joint select committee on offenders programs, sentencing, and supervision; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes that "good time" should be productive time, especially for those incarcerated in Washington's criminal justice facilities. The legislature finds that it is important to the safety of the public and to rehabilitation of offenders that changes be considered to other programs offered in prisons and in the community. The legislature further finds that reforms to sentencing and supervision of offenders returning to the community may enhance public safety, lower recidivism, and reduce crime and victimization. Therefore, the legislature intends to create a joint legislative task force on offenders programs, sentencing, and supervision to provide findings and recommendations for the 2007 legislative session.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) A joint legislative task force on offenders programs, sentencing, and supervision is established, with members as provided in this subsection.
     (a) The president of the senate shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, with at least one member being a member of the senate human services and corrections committee;
     (b) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, with at least one member being a member of the house criminal justice and corrections committee;
     (c) The governor shall appoint the following members:
     (i) The attorney general, or the attorney general's designee;
     (ii) The secretary of corrections, or the secretary's designee;
     (iii) The executive director of the sentencing guidelines commission, or the director's designee;
     (d) In addition, the joint legislative task force, where feasible, may consult with individuals representing the following:
     (i) Superior court judges;
     (ii) Mental health treatment providers who provide alcohol and substance abuse counseling;
     (iii) Mental health treatment providers who provide medical assistance services to offenders;
     (iv) Counties;
     (v) Cities;
     (vi) Crime victims;
     (vii) Prosecuting attorneys;
     (viii) Criminal defense lawyers;
     (ix) Faculty members who educate incarcerated offenders;
     (x) Faculty members who educate released offenders;
     (xi) Community corrections officers;
     (xii) Labor organizations representing correctional officers who work in adult correctional facilities;
     (xiii) Multifamily housing;
     (xiv) City local law enforcement;
     (xv) County law enforcement;
     (xvi) Ex-offenders;
     (xvii) A faith-based organization that provides outreach or services to offenders;
     (xviii) Washington businesses; and
     (xix) Nonprofit organizations providing work force training to released offenders.
     (2) The joint legislative task force shall be cochaired by a legislative member from the senate and a legislative member from the house of representatives, as chosen by the task force.
     (3) The joint legislative task force shall review and make recommendations regarding:
     (a) The type of offender that would benefit most in terms of personal achievement, responsibility, and community safety, by having the opportunity to receive enhanced training and education while in prison;
     (b) The types of training and educational programs that would provide the greatest return on investment with regard to offender achievement, responsibility, and community;
     (c) Changes to the sentencing law and policies related to "good time" or early release, that would encourage incarcerated offenders to participate in training and programs that will increase the likelihood that they will be able to support themselves when they leave prison and reduce recidivism;
     (d) A method for evaluating the return on the investment and determining from frontline department of corrections staff and community partners, whether the changes are improving personal responsibility on the part of the offender and reducing crime in the community;
     (e) Changes to community supervision that would provide greater safety to the public and incentives for prisons in adhering to treatment, educational goals, and reducing recidivism; and
     (f) The operation of inmate work release programs and on how such work release programs are sited and placed throughout the state.
     (4) The joint legislative task force shall present a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature, including any proposed legislation, by November 15, 2006.
     (5) The joint legislative task force may, where feasible, consult with individuals from the public and private sector in carrying out its duties under this section.
     (6)(a) The joint legislative task force shall use legislative facilities, and staff support shall be provided by senate committee services, the house of representatives office of program research, and the Washington state institute for public policy. The department of corrections and the sentencing guidelines commission shall cooperate with the joint legislative task force, and shall provide information as the task force reasonably requests.
     (b) Nonlegislative members of the joint legislative task force shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (c) Legislative members of the joint legislative task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120.
     (d) The expenses of the joint legislative task force shall be paid jointly by the senate and the house of representatives.
     (7) This section expires December 1, 2006.