FINAL BILL REPORT

ESSB 6535

C 42 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Authorizing a disposition outside the standard range for the chemical dependency disposition alternative for juvenile offenders.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senator Hargrove).

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Law

Background:  Currently, a judge may only order a juvenile into a chemical dependency disposition alternative (CDDA) if the judge can suspend local sanctions or, in a small number of cases, a sentence of 15 to 36 weeks confinement.  There has been a concern raised by some judges and courts that not having the option of granting a "manifest justice up" and then suspending the sentence so a juvenile offender can complete a CDDA is denying juvenile offenders the opportunity for treatment and in some cases not providing the offender with the necessary motivation to complete the CDDA.

Summary:  The courts are permitted to grant a manifest injustice upward and suspend the sentence so that a juvenile offender can be ordered to complete a chemical dependency disposition alternative.  When the court grants a manifest injustice above the standard range, it is limited to a 52 week total confinement sentence.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate480

House970

Effective:  June 13, 2002