HB 1963

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

Human Services Committee

HB 1963

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Authorizing earned release credit in county alternative sentencing programs.

Sponsors: Representatives Goodman, Strow, O'Brien, Jarrett, Hurst, Miloscia, Roberts, Lantz, Kagi, Darneille, Ericks, Flannigan, Hunter, Lovick, Rodne, Williams, Dunshee, Kenney and Upthegrove.

Brief Summary of Bill

Permits the court to credit or convert jail confinement to an available county supervised community option.

Allows earned release credit to be authorized consistent with the local correctional facility standards.

Hearing Date: 2/13/07

Staff: Sonja Hallum (786-7092).

Background:

Alternatives to Confinement.

Alternatives to total confinement are available for offenders with sentences of one year or less. Offenders are defined to be adults, or juveniles who have been transferred to adult court, who have been convicted of a felony.

The alternatives to confinement include the following sentence conditions that the court may order as substitutes for total confinement:

One day of partial confinement may be substituted for one day of total confinement.
For offenders convicted of nonviolent offenses only, eight hours of community service may be substituted for one day of total confinement, with a maximum conversion limit of 240 hours or 30 days. Community service hours must be completed within the period of community supervision or a time period specified by the court, which shall not exceed 24 months, pursuant to a schedule determined by the Department of Corrections.
For nonviolent and nonsex offenders, the court may authorize county jails to convert jail confinement to an available county supervised community option and may require the offender to perform affirmative conduct.

Earned Release.

The term of the sentence of an offender committed to a correctional facility may be reduced by earned release time in accordance with procedures developed by the correctional agency having jurisdiction in which the offender is confined. The earned release time is for good behavior and good performance, as determined by the correctional agency having jurisdiction.

Summary of Bill:

The court is permitted to credit or convert jail confinement to an available county supervised community option, and may authorize earned release credit consistent with the local correctional facility standards.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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