SENATE BILL REPORT

2SSB 6419

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Thorsness, Talmadge, McCaslin, Niemi, Patrick and Moore; by request of Governor)

Creating a jail standards incentive board.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 18, 1990; February 1, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6419 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Newhouse, Niemi, Patrick, Rasmussen, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Ben Barnes (786-7465)

                  February 1, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 5, 1990

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6419 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Newhouse, Owen, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Warnke, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Randy Hodgins (786-7715)

                  February 26, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 23, 1990

BACKGROUND:

While most cities and counties have adopted jail standards as required by RCW 70.48.071, many jails are seriously overcrowded and few can demonstrate compliance with these standards.  The Department of Corrections has attempted to provide technical and other assistance to local governments.  However, there is no single statutory entity to address statewide issues of jail conditions on a systematic basis.

SUMMARY:

A Jail Standards Incentive Board is created consisting of nine members.  The board is required to advise and provide technical assistance to cities and counties operating jails; adopt advisory standards for city and county jails and inspect the jails for compliance with the standards; adopt rules for the submission and approval of jail population management plans and for monitoring and certification of the cities' and counties' compliance with such plans.

The board is authorized to distribute incentive funds to cities and counties for such purposes as helping the local jurisdiction meet jail standards or to forecast and plan for future correctional facilities.  The board is required to define a "jail population management plan" by administrative rule.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:July 1, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified: LAW & JUSTICE:  Chase Riveland, Department of Corrections; Andrea Dahl, Association of Washington Cities; Steve Schaub, King County; Bob Stacker, Evergreen Legal Services

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Dave Savage, Department of Corrections