The bill seeks to improve outcomes for juveniles adjudicated for offenses by expanding community placement options and refining procedural requirements. A significant amendment requires that when a juvenile is sentenced to confinement exceeding 30 days, the court must independently determine that such confinement is necessary for community protection, rather than relying solely on party stipulations. The court must consider factors such as the severity of the offense, the juvenile's criminal history, and treatment needs before imposing a sentence. If confinement is deemed unnecessary, the court may opt for local sanctions or electronic monitoring. The bill also modifies disposition alternatives, emphasizing culturally relevant care and treatment, and clarifies that any confinement exceeding 30 days will be supervised by the department, while the court retains concurrent jurisdiction for review hearings.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for the management and release of juvenile offenders, including prioritizing release dates based on behavior and mandating risk assessments before placement in community facilities. It establishes a structured parole program with compliance conditions for reintegration into the community and outlines the appeals process for juvenile dispositions, ensuring decisions are based on the record from the disposition court. The bill also sets eligibility criteria for community transition services, requiring individuals to have served a minimum of 60% of their confinement term and access to supportive services, while developing a risk assessment tool to ensure fair evaluations free from bias.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 13.40.160, 13.40.230, 13.40.185, 13.40.0357, 72.05.420, 13.40.210, 13.40.215, 13.40.308, 72.01.412
Substitute Bill: 13.40.160, 13.40.165, 13.40.185, 13.40.0357, 72.05.420, 13.40.210, 13.40.215, 13.40.230, 72.01.412, 13.40.205
Second Substitute: 13.40.160, 13.40.165, 13.40.185, 13.40.0357, 72.05.420, 13.40.210, 13.40.215, 13.40.230, 72.01.412, 13.40.205
Engrossed Second Substitute: 13.40.160, 13.40.165, 13.40.185, 13.40.0357, 72.05.420, 13.40.210, 13.40.215, 13.40.230, 72.01.412, 13.40.205