SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6557
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 March 21, 2016
Title: An act relating to reestablishing the juvenile justice partnership council under the administrative office of the courts.
Brief Description: Reestablishing the juvenile justice partnership council under the administrative office of the courts.
Sponsors: Senator Darneille.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services, Mental Health & Housing:
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH & HOUSING |
Staff: Lindsay Erickson (786-7465)
Background: The Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act. Congress enacted the JJDP Act in 1974 and reauthorized the Act in 2002. The JJDP Act provides for:
a nationwide juvenile justice planning and advisory system spanning all states, territories, and the District of Columbia;
federal funding for delinquency prevention and improvements in state and local juvenile justice programs and practices; and
the operation of a federal agency, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, which is dedicated to training, technical assistance, model programs, and research and evaluation, to support state and local efforts.
In order to be eligible to receive a formula grant, a state must designate one agency to prepare and administer a comprehensive three-year Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention plan, establish a State Advisory Group appointed by the Governor or other chief executive officer to provide policy direction, participate in preparing and administering the Formula Grants program plan, and commit to achieve and maintain compliance with the following four core requirements of the JJDP Act:
reduction of disproportionate minority contact within the juvenile justice system;
deinstitutionalization of status offenders;
separation of juveniles from adults in secure facilities; and
removal of juveniles from adult jails and lockups.
The Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice (Partnership Council). The Partnership Council was established by Executive Order 10-03 on September 13, 2010. The Partnership Council meets the requirements for State Advisory Group membership pursuant to the JJDP Act and is the primary state planning agency for matters pertaining to juvenile justice in the State of Washington. The Partnership Council is staffed by the Office of Juvenile Justice, within the Rehabilitation Administration of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
The mission of the Partnership Council is to promote partnerships and innovations that improve outcomes for juvenile offenders and their victims, to build family and community capacity to prevent delinquency, and to provide analysis and expertise to state and local policymakers.
Summary of Bill: Moves the Partnership Council from the Office of Juvenile Justice, within the Rehabilitation Administration of DSHS, to the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 22, 2016.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: Yes.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: There is concern about the placement of this Council within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) because the Council has worked to prevent juvenile crime through a reduction of juveniles sent to detention facilities. Because the Council is placed under DSHS, the work is more detention-focused, instead of looking at a more integrated model with schools, wrap around services to families, returning juveniles to schools, and truancy boards to address the early behavior of youth that might later land them in a JRA facility. If the Cuncil were to be placed under AOC, this can allow for more robust research, new partnerships, and a new focus to move forward. AOC has a long history and involvement with juvenile and family courts, and its court research provides significant data for juvenile justice issues. This idea has not been fully vetted by advocacy groups, but moving it forward would help with the discussion regarding the important work of the Council.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Darnielle, Prime Sponsor; Callie Dietz, Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), Mellani McAleenan, AOC.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.