BILL REQ. #:  H-4007.1 

Read first time 01/15/2004.   Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to creating a joint select committee to study the supervision of offenders in the community by the department of corrections; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) A joint select committee on the supervision of offenders in the community is established.
     (2) The joint select committee shall consist of the following members:
     (a) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (b) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate;
     (c) The secretary of the department of corrections, or his or her designee;
     (d) One member appointed by the governor;
     (e) One member representing crime victims appointed jointly by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate; and
     (f) One member representing local law enforcement appointed by the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs.
     (3) The joint select committee shall be chaired by a legislative member chosen by the members of the committee.
     (4) The joint select committee shall review and make recommendations regarding changing the manner in which the department of corrections supervises offenders in the community who are in the two highest risk categories. In conducting the review, the joint select committee shall:
     (a) Focus on maximizing public safety within available resources through an effective program of supervision; and
     (b) Consider research on best practices regarding the supervision of offenders in the community.
     (5) The joint select committee shall present a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature no later than December 1, 2004.
     (6) The joint select committee may, where feasible, consult with individuals from the public and private sector when carrying out its duties under this section.
     (7) Nonlegislative members of the joint select committee shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050. Legislative members of the joint select committee shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 44.04.120.
     (8) Staff of the house of representatives office of program research and senate committee services shall provide staff support to the joint select committee.
     (9) This section expires March 1, 2005.