SB 5815 amends RCW 13.40.205 to state that a juvenile placed in minimum security status may participate in work, educational, community restitution, or treatment programs in the community up to 16 hours a day if approved by the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services. This is a change from the previous 12 hours a day maximum.
RCW 72.05.405 is also amended to read that any juvenile who commits a serious infraction or a serious violation of conditions set by the department must, rather than shall, be returned to an institution.
*Companion to HB 1740*
Amendments:
Updated on 4.12.19:
1st substitute:
- Requires increase in authority to allow a juvenile to leave a community facility in a single day to participate in approved activities to be managed within existing resources.
- Requires JR to consult empirically validated best practices and evidence concerning most effective interventions before amending its infraction policy relating to use or possession of alcohol or controlled substances.
House Committee Amendments (Updated on 4.12.19):
- Requires the DCYF to adopt and implement rules based on empirically validated best practices to appropriately address unlawful use or possession of controlled substances and alcohol committed by individuals placed in juvenile community facilities instead of consulting empirically validated best practices and evidence concerning most effective interventions before adopting an amended infraction policy.