SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6526

                    AS OF JANUARY 26, 1994

Brief Description:  Developing a job skills training program for juvenile offenders.

SPONSORS: Senators Skratek, Erwin, Sheldon, M. Rasmussen, Oke and Drew

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786‑7428)

Hearing Dates: January 27, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Washington State has the third highest juvenile detention rate in the nation according to the final report of the Institutional Education Legislative Study Committee.  The incidence of criminal behavior among young people released from juvenile institutions is higher than that among the general population of youth.  Many juvenile justice experts believe that providing job skills to juvenile offenders has the potential to reduce future criminal behavior.  Ensuring the ability of juvenile offenders to engage in gainful employment upon release from a juvenile institution has not been a responsibility of the Division of Juvenile Rehabilitation or the several school districts which serve juvenile institutions.

SUMMARY:

The Director of the Division of Juvenile Rehabilitation (DJR) and the several school districts serving juvenile institutions are to operate a job skills training program to provide youth with skills necessary to locate, compete for, and maintain employment.  DJR and the schools are to assure that educational programs are occupationally based and provide skills that are transferable to the job market.  In addition, they are to work with local business organizations and provide institutional work experience. 

The design and operation of the job skills training program is to be carried out in consultation with the Employment Security Department, the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.  Schools are to make vocational education opportunities available to each residential school student between the ages of 14 and 21.  DJR is to provide the support services and facilities necessary for the job skills training program.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 26, 1994