Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Public Safety Committee |
SSB 5441
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Extending rental vouchers for eligible offenders.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Nguyen, Wilson, C., Darneille, Cleveland, Salomon, Randall, Hasegawa and Kuderer).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/20/20
Staff: Kelly Leonard (786-7147).
Background:
Offenders incarcerated in state correctional facilities may earn early release time for good behavior and good performance, with some exceptions and conditions. Certain offenders are also required to serve a term of community custody under the supervision of the Department of Corrections (DOC) following their release. Any offender who will serve a term of community custody must have an approved release plan in order to take advantage of earned early release time.
An offender's release plan must include a specific residence and living arrangements. The DOC can deny an offender's release plan if the plan places the community or victims at risk, violates the terms of supervision, or places the offender at risk to reoffend or violate the conditions of supervision. The offender remains in the state correctional facility, up to his or her original release date, until he or she obtains an approved release plan.
The DOC may provide rental vouchers to an offender for up to three months if those vouchers will result in an approved release plan. Vouchers must be provided in conjunction with additional transition support services. These include, but are not limited to, substance use disorder treatment, mental health treatment, sex offender treatment, educational programming, or employment programming.
Summary of Bill:
Subject to a specific appropriation, the DOC may provide rental vouchers to an eligible offender for up to six months if those vouchers will result in an approved release plan.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 17, 2020.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.