Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee

SSB 6393

Brief Description:  Expanding authority for interlocal agreements for jail services.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Kline, Deccio, Haugen, Honeyford, Eide, Kastama and Horn).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Expands the provision that limits county contracts for jail services between cities located within its county borders and other counties.

$Requires contracting entities to provide reasonable contact between defendants and their appointed defense counsel.

Hearing Date:  2/27/02

Staff:  Yvonne Walker (786‑7841).

Background:

Counties may contract for jail services with a city located within the boundaries of the county or with other counties.  However, a county or a city cannot contract for jail services with another city that is located outside of its county boundaries.  Jail services include allowing a prosecuting city or county to confine a person convicted of an offense, punishable by imprisonment in a jail, in a county or city were jail services are contracted.

Summary of Bill:

The provision that limits contracts for jail services between a county and cities located within its county borders is expanded.

Counties and cities may contract for jail services in any city or county.  In addition, jail services are expanded whereby a prosecuting city or county may incarcerate a person (charged or convicted with an offense) in any county or city jail were services are contracted.

Furthermore, any county or city contracting for jail services in another jurisdiction must provide for reasonable costs of personal contact between its defendants (who have not been convicted) and their appointed defense counsel.  The jurisdiction may meet this obligation by:

$Paying for the costs of mileage to the appointed defense counsel at the standard rate for employees or contractors;

$ Transporting the defendant to meet with appointed defense counsel; or

$Providing video‑conferencing at the jail and a facility within the jurisdiction that are   reasonably available to the defendant and appointed defense counsel.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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