FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5815

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.

Senate Committee on Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Human Services & Early Learning

House Committee on Appropriations

Background: Juvenile Rehabilitation. Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) is a division of the Department of Social and Health Services which is scheduled to transfer to the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) on July 1, 2019. JR operates three juvenile institutions for adjudicated juveniles sentenced to serve more than 30 days of confinement. Echo Glen Children's Center in Snoqualmie serves younger male offenders and female offenders. Green Hill School in Chehalis serves older male offenders. Naselle Youth Camp in Naselle provides services to male offenders and offers a forestry work program.

Community Facilities. JR operates eight community facilities for minimum security juvenile offenders who have transferred after serving time in an institution. These facilities provide group and educational programming and allow juveniles to have approved leave for up to 12 hours per day to attend school or participate in approved work, educational, community restitution, or treatment programs. Certain activities in a community facility are defined under statute as serious infractions requiring JR to remove the juvenile from the community facility and return them to an institution until a new risk assessment has been completed and JR reasonably believes the juvenile can adhere to the conditions set by JR. Serious infractions must include any criminal law violation, unlawful use or possession of a controlled substance, or unlawful use or possession of an alcoholic beverage.

Summary: The authorization for JR to allow a juvenile placed in minimum security to be in the community for up to 12 hours a day to participate in approved work, educational, community restitution, or treatment programs may be increased from 12 to up to 16 hours a day if operated within existing appropriations.

Unlawful use or possession of a controlled substance or an alcoholic beverage while in a community facility are excluded from a list of serious infractions requiring mandatory return to an institution. JR must adopt rules based on empirically validated best practices to appropriately address offenses involving unlawful use or possession of a controlled substance or alcohol by a person committed to a JR community facility.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	47	1
House	84	14	(House amended)
Senate	45	2	(Senate concurred)