AN ACT Relating to allowing youth courts to have jurisdiction over transit infractions; and amending RCW 3.72.010.

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

Sec. 1.  RCW 3.72.010 and 2005 c 73 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A court created under chapter 3.30, 3.46, 3.50, or 35.20 RCW may create a youth court. The youth court shall have jurisdiction over traffic and transit infractions alleged to have been committed by juveniles age sixteen or seventeen. The court may refer a juvenile to the youth court upon request of any party or upon its own motion. However, a juvenile shall not be required under this section to have his or her traffic or transit infraction referred to or disposed of by a youth court.

(2) To be referred to a youth court pursuant to this chapter, a juvenile:

(a) May not have had a prior traffic or transit infraction referred to a youth court;

(b) May not be under the jurisdiction of any court for a violation of any provision of Title 46 RCW;

(c) May not have any convictions for a violation of any provision of Title 46 RCW; and

(d) Must acknowledge that there is a high likelihood that he or she would be found to have committed the traffic or transit infraction.

(3)(a) Nothing in this chapter shall interfere with the ability of juvenile courts to refer matters to youth courts that have been established to provide a diversion for matters involving juvenile offenders who are eligible for diversion pursuant to RCW 13.40.070 (6) and (((7))) (8) and who agree, along with a parent, guardian, or legal custodian, to comply with the provisions of RCW 13.40.600.

(b) Nothing in this chapter shall interfere with the ability of student courts to work with students who violate school rules and policies pursuant to RCW 28A.300.420.

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