Juvenile correctional pop.

AN ACT Relating to emergency measures for managing juvenile 1
populations at state juvenile correctional institutions; adding a new 2
section to chapter 13.40 RCW; creating new sections; and declaring an 3
emergency. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that juvenile 6
rehabilitation under the department of children, youth, and families 7
is dangerously overcrowded. Overcrowding is contributing to high 8
levels of violence and drug use, and is impeding the ability of youth 9
to be rehabilitated.10
The legislature further finds that young adults may be better 11
served by transferring their custody to the department of 12
corrections. Such transfers will allow youth to access job programs 13
and education, and place them closer to their families.14
The legislature further finds that modern brain science 15
demonstrates that as youth age they continue maturing and that as 16
developing adults they should be given the opportunity to make 17
decisions about their own rehabilitation. Furthermore, youth should 18
be given the opportunity to form a vested interest in their own 19
rehabilitation. 20
S-0571.1
SENATE BILL 5260
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators Christian and Braun
Read first time 01/14/25. Referred to Committee on Human Services.
p. 1 SB 5260
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 13.40 1
RCW to read as follows: 2
(1) Any person, who is at least 18 years old and is placed in a 3
facility operated by the department of children, youth, and families, 4
may request that the person be transferred to the custody of the 5
department of corrections. The secretary of the department of 6
children, youth, and families shall coordinate with the secretary of 7
the department of corrections and shall transfer any person who makes 8
such a request under this section. 9
(2) Any person who makes a transfer request shall have three days 10
to reconsider the transfer request. Following the three-day waiting 11
period, the person shall be transferred from the department of 12
children, youth, and families to the custody of the department of 13
corrections within 10 days. 14
(3) The secretary of the department of children, youth, and 15
families and the secretary of the department of corrections shall 16
develop a form for a person to make a transfer request. The form must 17
be made available to the person upon request. The secretary of the 18
department of children, youth, and families shall inform all persons 19
presently in its custody of the ability to be transferred under this 20
section. Any person entering the custody of the department of 21
children, youth, and families must be informed of the requirements of 22
this section during intake. 23
(4) The hearing requirements in RCW 13.40.280 do not apply to a 24
person transferred to the department of corrections under this 25
section. 26
(5) A juvenile offender transferred pursuant to this section may 27
not remain in an institution operated by the department of 28
corrections beyond the maximum term of confinement imposed by the 29
juvenile court. 30
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act may be known and cited as the 31
Youth Rehabilitation Pathways Act.32
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate 33
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of 34
the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes 35
effect immediately.36
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p. 2 SB 5260