The bill, known as the Juvenile Rehabilitation Overcrowding Relief Act (J-RORA), aims to improve the management and rehabilitation of youth in juvenile rehabilitation institutions in Washington State. It addresses the critical issue of overcrowding, which negatively impacts rehabilitation efforts, by introducing new definitions and provisions related to community-based rehabilitation and supervision. Key amendments include the establishment of a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation process at intake, the introduction of the term "rated bed capacity" to define the maximum number of individuals that can be housed in these institutions, and the development of uniform policies for custodial assaults. The bill also emphasizes the need for safe population management and clarifies the responsibilities of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in overseeing juvenile rehabilitation programs.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific criteria for rated bed capacity, including requirements for single occupancy rooms and adequate educational and recreational spaces. It mandates that the DCYF monitor the population levels in juvenile rehabilitation institutions and take necessary actions, such as transferring individuals to community transition services, when the population exceeds 90% of rated capacity. The legislation also modifies transfer protocols for individuals under the jurisdiction of DCYF and the Department of Corrections (DOC), stipulating that individuals over 21 at the time of placement will be managed by DCYF, with specific conditions for transfer to DOC. Overall, the act seeks to enhance the safety and rehabilitation of youth while addressing the pressing issue of overcrowding in juvenile facilities.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 72.01.410, 13.40.280
Substitute Bill: 13.40.020, 13.40.460, 72.65.200, 13.40.280, 13.40.215, 72.01.410
Second Substitute: 13.40.020, 13.40.460, 72.65.200, 13.40.280, 13.40.215, 72.01.410
Engrossed Second Substitute: 13.40.020, 13.40.460, 72.65.200, 13.40.280, 13.40.215, 72.01.410