Title: An act relating to increasing the length of confinement for a parole violation committed by certain juvenile sex offenders under the jurisdiction of the department of social and health services, juvenile rehabilitation administration.

Brief Description: Increasing the length of confinement for a parole violation committed by certain juvenile sex offenders.

Sponsors: House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, O'Brien, Roberts, Ormsby and Green; by request of Department of Social and Health Services).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/26/07, 93-1.

Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 3/15/07, 3/29/07 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Marr and McAuliffe.

Staff: Kiki Keizer (786-7430)

Background: After a juvenile offender is released from the custody of the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA), the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) may require that juvenile to comply with a program of parole in his or her community. The period of the juvenile's parole can last for up to 18 months, unless the juvenile has committed certain sex offenses, in which case the parole can last for up to 24 months, or unless the Secretary of the DSHS finds that an additional period of parole is necessary for reasons of public safety or to meet the needs of the juvenile, in which case parole may last for up to 36 months.

If the juvenile violates the conditions of his or her parole, the Secretary of the DSHS has a number of options, including increasing the juvenile's reporting obligations, imposing additional conditions of supervision, or imposing a period of confinement up to 30 days. If the juvenile was committed to the JRA for the commission of certain sex offenses and later violates his or her conditions of parole, the Secretary of the JRA may return the juvenile to confinement for the remainder of his or her sentencing range.

Summary of Substitute Bill: If the juvenile confined for committing a "sex offense," as defined by RCW 9A.44.030, violates parole, then the Secretary of the DSHS may return the juvenile to confinement for a period of up to 24 weeks of the remaining sentence range.

The act does not apply to parole violations that have occurred before the effective date of the act.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED STRIKING AMENDMENT(S) AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Human Services & Corrections): If a juvenile confined for committing a "sex offense," as defined by RCW 9A.44.130, violates parole, then the Secretary of the DSHS may return the juvenile to confinement for a period of up to 24 weeks, not to exceed the term of parole previously imposed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill would extend the amount of time that a certain class of kids could be taken back into custody, if they violate the conditions of their parole. The JRA has worked with the Assistant Attorney General that advises them to correct some technical issues and recommends using the language recommended by the Attorney General's office, particularly changing the reference to the term of the sentence to reflect the term of parole. The JRA believes that the bill will increase community safety and improve treatment intervention. Offering offenders the opportunity for programs that will help them to get on the right path should be supported, particularly in the case of juveniles, who are likely to be most amenable to treatment.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Dickerson, prime sponsor; Sekou Shabaka, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, DSHS; Dave Johnson, Washington Coalition of Crime Victim Advocates.