SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5467

BYSenators Kreidler, McCaslin, Deccio and Fleming; by request of Corrections Standards Board

Changing membership on and extending the corrections standards board.

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 3, 1987; March 6, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Wojahn, Chairman; Stratton, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Kiskaddon, Kreidler.

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  March 19, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 18, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1981 the Corrections Standards Board was created as part of the Jail Commission and assigned the duty of establishing standards for Department of Corrections facilities.  In 1983 when the Jail Commission was disbanded, the Corrections Standards Board took over its functions which include establishing and enforcing construction and operating standards for jails, and administering jail construction projects.

The Board was scheduled for a 1987 review by the Legislative Budget Committee (LBC).  This report concluded that the Board's functions should be transferred to other agencies and the Board should terminate in January 1988 because there is no compelling reason for it to continue.

SUMMARY:

The Corrections Standards Board's termination date is postponed for two years, to July 1989, and LBC is required to do a second review of the Board in January 1989.

The Board's membership is expanded from nine to 11 members.  The two additional members must be county commissioners or county council members.  All local elected officials must be from jurisdictions which currently operate a jail.

The Board's inspections of Department of Corrections institutions are required every two years, rather than annually.

A subgroup of the Board which deals with local standards is expanded from five to seven members.

The Board must report to the Legislature on or before July 1 of each even-numbered year.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Bob Cote, Ex Secretary, Corrections Standards Board; Larry Erickson, Chairman, Corrections Standards Board; Jim Metcalf, Washington Association of Counties