HB 2993-S - DIGEST
(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Provides that if the basis of the at-risk youth order is a finding that the child is at risk due to a possible substance abuse or mental health problem, the court may only impose confinement for up to two days as a sanction for the first contempt of court violation. If the child commits a further violation after having been confined for up to two days, the court may impose up to an additional seven days of confinement if the basis of the new contempt of court finding is that the youth committed the same violation as found by the court in the first contempt of court order. The court may not find a youth in contempt of court for failing to obtain an evaluation or services, if the evaluation or services were not available to the youth.

Requires the Washington state institute for public policy to conduct a study of the juvenile court system to evaluate the use of confinement for youth who are found in contempt of court in nonoffender proceedings under RCW 13.32A.250 or 28A.225.090. The institute shall issue a report containing its findings to the legislature by December 1, 2007. The evaluation shall include the following information: (1) How often youth are found in contempt in nonoffender cases;

(2) What are the bases of the violations for which youth are found in contempt;

(3) What are the bases for the underlying petitions;

(4) How often is confinement ordered as a sanction for contempt of court in a nonoffender proceeding;

(5) How often are sanctions other than detention ordered by the court and what has been the effectiveness of these sanctions; and

(6) What is the rate of subsequent compliance with the orders following a finding of contempt.