FINAL BILL REPORT
SB 5525
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. |
PARTIAL VETO
C 455 L 09
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning rental vouchers to allow release from state institutions.
Sponsors: Senators Carrell, Hargrove, Stevens, Regala, Brandland, Kauffman and McAuliffe.
Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections
House Committee on Human Services
House Committee on Ways & Means
Background: Inmates may shorten their sentence time, if they display good behavior, through a program called earned early release. Depending on the crime committed, date of conviction, and the offenders' risk classification, offenders may get from 10 to 50 percent time off their sentence.
Offenders who are convicted of a sex offense, a violent offense, a crime against persons, or a drug crime are eligible to be released to community custody in lieu of earned early release. The Department of Corrections (DOC) may deny transfer of the offender to community custody if the offender does not have an approved release plan. In the release plan, the offender must propose a residence location and living arrangements. If DOC finds that the proposed plan may violate the offender's conditions of sentence, place the offender at risk to reoffend, or compromise community safety, DOC will not approve the offender's release plan. In this case, the offender will remain incarcerated until a viable release plan is found or the offender reaches the end of his or her sentence.
In 2008 DOC held 1,258 offenders past their earned early release date for a total of 135,011 bed days (or an average of 107 days per offender). The offenders' release plans were denied for a variety of reasons, including the lack of a sponsor or living arrangement, county of origin issues, community safety, or lack of cooperation in programming or conditions.
Summary: DOC may provide rental vouchers to an offender for a period up to three months, if rental assistance will enable the offender to have an approved release plan.
A rental voucher must be provided in conjunction with other transitional support programming or services such as substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, sex offender treatment, educational programming, or employment programming. DOC is required to track the offender's housing status for the offender's term of supervision.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 42 | 2 | |
House | 54 | 43 | (House amended) |
Senate | 33 | 10 | (Senate concurred) |
Effective: | May 11, 2009 (Section 3) |
July 26, 2009 | |
August 1, 2009 (Section 2) |
Partial Veto Summary: The Governor vetoed the requirement that DOC report to the Legislature by December 1, 2009, regarding the number of rental vouchers issued and the sanction history of offenders who receive them.