SENATE BILL REPORT

                  EHB 1749

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Human Services & Corrections, March 30, 1999

                  Ways & Means, April 5, 1999

Title:  An act relating to eligibility for deferred disposition.

Brief Description:  Revising eligibility requirements for deferred disposition.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dickerson, McDonald, Lantz and Koster.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  3/23/99, 3/30/99 [DP-WM].

Ways & Means:  4/2/99, 4/5/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Costa, Vice Chair; Franklin, Kohl-Welles, Long, Patterson, Sheahan, Stevens and Zarelli.

Staff:  Lynn Hale (786-7430)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Loveland, Chair; Bauer, Vice Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Fraser, Honeyford, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Long, McDonald, Rasmussen, Rossi, B. Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, West, Winsley, Wojahn and Zarelli.

Staff:  Bryon Moore (786-7726)

Background:  Concern exists that repeat juvenile offenders remain eligible for deferred disposition.  Deferred disposition is a disposition alternative whereby the juvenile offender agrees to fulfill certain conditions in lieu of prosecution.  If a juvenile complies with the terms, the adjudication will be vacated and no further court action will be taken.

Summary of Bill:  A juvenile offender is ineligible for a deferred disposition if the juvenile has two or more gross misdemeanors or misdemeanors.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The incentive for juveniles to plead guilty to misdemeanors in order to reserve deferred disposition for a more serious offense is eliminated.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Dickerson, prime sponsor; Tom McBride, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.