FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1983

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.

C 278 L 17

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Reducing the population requirement in a consortium of counties in order to operate a juvenile correctional facility.

Sponsors: Representatives Dye, Riccelli and Dent.

House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services

Senate Committee on Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

Background:

Juvenile Detention.

Counties with a population of 50,000 or more must maintain a juvenile detention facility. Juveniles may not be confined in a jail or holding facility for adults except when the confinement is separate from the sight and sound of adult inmates for:

Juveniles who have been transferred to an adult court may be confined in a jail or holding facility for adults.

Juvenile probation counselor and detention services are generally administered by the county superior courts. However, when the county legislative authority provides for alternative administration of the juvenile correctional facility by ordinance, these services may be administered by a county legislative authority if a consortium of three or more counties east of the Cascade mountains with a population greater than 530,000 jointly operates a juvenile correctional facility.

Martin Hall Consortium.

The Martin Hall Juvenile Detention Facility (Martin Hall) is located on the Eastern State Hospital campus in Medical Lake, Washington, in Spokane County. In 1995 nine Washington counties entered into an interlocal agreement to jointly operate and utilize a juvenile correctional facility. In 1996 this consortium of counties leased Martin Hall from the State of Washington for 50 years, with an option for an additional 50 years. Adams, Asotin, Douglas, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Spokane, and Whitman counties are included in the Martin Hall Consortium.

Martin Hall began operation in 1999 and is operated by Community, Counseling, and Correctional Services, Incorporated. The building contains 24,000 square feet of space, including 44 juvenile detention cells, central and private visiting rooms, a booking area, medical clinic, laundry, administration and education wings, and indoor exercise, intake and support spaces. Martin Hall also contracts with several counties in Montana for juvenile detention services.

Summary:

The population size is decreased from 530,000 to 200,000 for the existing consortium of three or more counties in eastern Washington that may prescribe for alternative administration of a juvenile correctional facility.

A county that withdraws from a consortium of counties prescribing alternative juvenile correctional administration may rejoin such a consortium if a majority of the consortium members agree.

Votes on Final Passage:

House

98

0

Senate

47

2

(Senate amended)

House

95

1

(House concurred)

Effective:

July 23, 2017