HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6157
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. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Early Learning & Human Services
Title: An act relating to juvenile detention intake standards for juveniles who are developmentally disabled.
Brief Description: Requiring juvenile detention intake standards for juveniles who are developmentally disabled.
Sponsors: Senators Delvin, Hargrove, Stevens, Benton, Ericksen and Parlette.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Early Learning & Human Services: 2/16/12, 2/21/12 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & HUMAN SERVICES |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Kagi, Chair; Roberts, Vice Chair; Walsh, Ranking Minority Member; Hope, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Goodman, Johnson, Orwall and Overstreet.
Staff: Linda Merelle (786-7092).
Background:
A county juvenile detention facility is a facility for the physical confinement of a juvenile alleged to have committed an offense or a juvenile who has been adjudicated for a criminal offense and is subject to a disposition or modification order in juvenile court. Juvenile detention facilities may also include group homes, inpatient substance abuse programs, and juvenile basic training camps. Juvenile detention facilities have intake and risk assessment standards in place to determine whether detention is warranted.
In 2011 a voluntary workgroup convened by the Developmental Disabilities Counsel and Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration met to study practices and policies relating to the confinement of youth with developmental disabilities within juvenile detention facilities.
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Summary of Bill:
The county juvenile detention facilities must, by December 31, 2012, develop and implement detention and intake standards to determine whether a juvenile is developmentally disabled and whether detention is warranted for that juvenile.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill requires the county juvenile detention facilities to develop intake standards for juveniles to determine whether they have a developmental disability. One of the issues is the importance of screening and early identification of youth who enter a detention facility and have a developmental disability. This is a simple fix to a significant problem. By asking a few questions, the placement of the juvenile can be improved, and the detention staff can provide the necessary communication for kids. The parent or guardian can also be identified and interviewed at this time. The focus of this bill is narrow, but it could be a building block to screen for other conditions such as fetal alcohol syndrome. The counties anticipate that the additional questions in the assessment tool can easily be introduced into the existing screening process.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Delvin, prime sponsor; Ed Holen, Developmental Disabilities Council; and Tom McBride, Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administrators.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.