HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

SB 5664

Title:  An act relating to community service.

Brief Description:  Renaming, with regard to adult and juvenile offenders, "community service" as "community restitution."

Sponsors:  Senators Costa, Long, Kline, Hargrove, Thibaudeau, Wojahn, Franklin and Jacobsen.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONS

Staff:  Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

Community service is statutorily defined as compulsory service, without compensation, performed for the benefit of the community by an offender as punishment for committing an offense.  Community service may be performed through public or private organizations or through work crews.

However, community service can also refer to an altruistic activity that an individual performs, such as an humanitarian activity for a charity.  This type of community service is quite different from the type of service that is ordered to be served, by a court or otherwise, because of an offense that was committed.

Summary:

The term Acommunity service@ is changed to Acommunity restitution@ throughout the entire Washington statute.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.