SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6396
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 of February 5, 2014
Title: An act relating to allowing youthful offenders who complete their sentences prior to age twenty-one equal access to a full continuum of rehabilitative and reentry services.
Brief Description: Allowing youthful offenders who complete their sentences prior to age twenty-one equal access to a full continuum of rehabilitative and reentry services.
Sponsors: Senators Darneille, Cleveland, Kohl-Welles, Chase and McAuliffe.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 2/04/14.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS |
Staff: Shani Bauer (786-7468)
Background: Under certain circumstances, a juvenile can be prosecuted in adult court for committing a crime. Adult court jurisdiction is automatic for a juvenile who is 16 or 17 years of age on the date of the alleged offense when the juvenile has committed certain serious crimes. A juvenile court judge can also decline jurisdiction of a juvenile and transfer the juvenile to adult court jurisdiction after a decline hearing. A decline hearing is mandatory for certain aged offenders for specified crimes; otherwise the hearing is discretionary upon the motion of the prosecutor, juvenile, or the court's own motion.
A juvenile who is transferred to adult jurisdiction and sentenced to a term of confinement is sentenced to the physical custody of the Department of Corrections (DOC). When the juvenile is sentenced prior to reaching age 18, DOC is authorized to transfer the offender to the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) to be housed in a juvenile facility until the offender reaches age 21. If the offender has not completed the offender's sentence by the time of reaching age 21, the offender will be transferred into the custody of DOC. DOC contracts with JRA for the housing of juvenile offenders and retains responsibility for those offenders.
Summary of Bill: A juvenile who is transferred to adult jurisdiction and sentenced to a term of confinement is sentenced to the custody of JRA until the offender reaches age 21, at which time, the offender is transferred to the custody of DOC. If the offender is anticipated to complete the offender's sentence prior to reaching age 21, the offender has the same treatment and housing options as any other offender committed directly to the custody of JRA.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.