Subject of Possible Rule Making: This rule will establish a process for responding to situations of sexual misconduct with Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) youth by employees of JRA, volunteers, JRA contractors or an employee or subcontractor of a JRA contractor.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 13.40.570.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule will change the current process for disciplinary action for sexual misconduct with JRA youth. Background check and reporting requirements will be impacted by this legislation, with additional crimes added to chapter 9A.44 RCW, Sex offenses.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) has adopted their own rules regarding the process for responding to situations of sexual misconduct with offenders within the DOC system. JRA will share draft rules with DOC and ask for their input.

Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the rule(s). Anyone interested in participating should contact the staff person indicated below. After the rule(s) is drafted, DSHS will file a copy with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making, and send a copy to everyone currently on the mailing list and anyone else who requests a copy.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Candy Curl, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administrator, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, P.O. Box 45720, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 902-0858, fax (360) 902-8108, TTY (360) 902-7862, e-mail curlcg@dshs.wa.gov.

November 10, 1999

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office