SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6767

BYSenators Niemi, Nelson, Talmadge, Newhouse and Rasmussen

Creating a juvenile justice review commission.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 31, 1990; February 1, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6767 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; Madsen, Newhouse, Niemi, Patrick, Rasmussen, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Cliff Petersen (786-7457)

                February 1, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 6, 1990

Majority Report:     That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6767 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Newhouse, Niemi, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Randy Hodgins (786-7715)

                February 7, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 6, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature enacted the Juvenile Justice Act in 1977.  This act provides for a comprehensive scheme for dealing with juveniles who engage in criminal activity while also addressing the needs of those youth who have been adjudicated as dependent children.

The act has been modified periodically during the past 13 years, and it has been suggested that it is time for a comprehensive review to be conducted in light of the changing times and emerging needs of juveniles and the public.

SUMMARY:

A Juvenile Justice Act Review Commission is created.  The commission is composed of four legislators; two superior court judges; two prosecuting attorneys; a representative of the cities and a representative of the counties, both of whom shall be selected by the commission's executive committee; one member selected by the Secretary of the Department of Corrections; one member selected by the Department of Social and Health Services; one mental health specialist; two attorneys selected by the Bar Association who practice juvenile law, one who represents a public defender organization; and two members selected by the Governor who have a demonstrated interest in the adjudication and disposition of juvenile offenders.

The Governor is to select a commission chair and an executive committee is also created.  The commission is to be staffed by the appropriate Senate and House committee staff.

The commission is to review the Juvenile Justice Act and juvenile dependency provisions.  Specific focus is to be directed upon dispositional alternatives including early intervention, rehabilitation and community programs, and special sanctions and programs for violent offenders who are 16 and 17 years old.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Two juvenile court administrators, selected by the Juvenile Court Administrators Association, are added to the Juvenile Justice Act Review Commission.

The legislative members of the commission are to select the chair rather than the Governor selecting the chair.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:

The bill is made contingent upon funding in the state budget.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    none requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   LAW & JUSTICE:  Sid Sidorowicz, Governor's office (pro); Chase Riveland, Secretary, Department of Corrections (pro); Paul Trause, Asst. Secretary, Department of Social and Health Services (pro); Margaret Casey, Washington State Catholic Conference and Alliance for Children, Youth and Families (pro); Terrence Carroll (pro)

Senate Committee - Testified:   WAYS & MEANS:  Lee Fish, Spokane County Juvenile Court Administrator (pro)