HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1837
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:
Public Safety
Title: An act relating to allowing residents of total confinement facilities and secure community transition facilities to engage in therapeutic occupational assignments within the confines of McNeil Island.
Brief Description: Allowing residents of total confinement facilities and secure community transition facilities to engage in therapeutic occupational assignments within the confines of McNeil Island.
Sponsors: Representatives Hope, Goodman, Roberts, Hayes, Appleton and Ryu; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Public Safety: 2/20/13, 2/21/13 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Goodman, Chair; Roberts, Vice Chair; Hayes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Holy, Hope, Moscoso, Pettigrew and Takko.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Klippert, Ranking Minority Member; Ross.
Staff: Sarah Koster (786-7303).
Background:
"Secure facility" means a residential facility for persons civilly confined as sexually violent predators or awaiting trial for civil commitment as sexually violent predators that includes security measures sufficient to protect the community. Such facilities include total confinement facilities, secure community transition facilities, and any residence used as a court-ordered placement.
"Secure community transition facility" means a residential facility for persons civilly committed and conditionally released to a less restrictive alternative as sexually violent predators. A secure community transition facility has supervision and security, and either provides or ensures the provision of sex offender treatment services.
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) operates one total confinement facility, the Special Commitment Center, which currently houses 274 residents and is located on McNeil Island, as well as two secure community transitions facilities: the Pierce County Secure Community Transition Facility, which is located on McNeil Island and has a capacity of 24, and the King County Secure Community Transition Facility, which is located in Seattle and has a capacity of six.
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Summary of Bill:
Residents of the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island or one of the secure community transition facilities may engage in therapeutic occupational assignments outside of their facilities, within the confines of McNeil Island. The Secretary of the DSHS shall set conditions as necessary to ensure the safety of the community, including the appropriate direct staffing ratio for such occupational assignments.
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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) The Department of Corrections (DOC) historically maintained McNeil Island and the infrastructure, through their staff and inmate labor, until the DOC left in April 2011. When the DOC was on McNeil Island, there were staff families on the island. The secure community transition facilities' residents require a one to one ratio of residents to escorts whenever they are in the community, including medical, legal, or shopping purposes. This is about work on the island. The one to one ration is really inefficient for maintaining the island. This bill would allow the DSHS to set an appropriate ratio. The ratio would probably vary from three to one to one to one, based on the task at hand.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Don Gauntz, Department of Social and Health Services, Special Commitment Center.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.