The bill addresses the urgent issue of overcrowding in state juvenile correctional institutions, which has led to increased violence and drug use among youth, hindering their rehabilitation. It proposes that young adults, specifically those aged 18 and older currently in the custody of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, can request a transfer to the Department of Corrections. This transfer aims to provide better access to job programs and education, as well as to facilitate closer connections with their families. The bill emphasizes the importance of allowing youth to have a say in their rehabilitation process, recognizing their ongoing development and maturity.

To implement this transfer process, the bill establishes a new section in chapter 13.40 RCW, detailing the procedure for making transfer requests, including a three-day reconsideration period and a ten-day timeline for the actual transfer. It also mandates that the secretaries of both departments develop a request form and ensure that all individuals in custody are informed of their transfer rights. Notably, the bill states that the hearing requirements typically associated with juvenile transfers do not apply in this case, and it specifies that transferred juvenile offenders cannot remain in the Department of Corrections beyond the maximum term set by the juvenile court. The act is designated as the Youth Rehabilitation Pathways Act and is set to take effect immediately to address the pressing needs of the juvenile population.