The bill amends various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to enhance the management and rehabilitation of juveniles in state facilities. A key addition is the term "safe operational capacity," which establishes a maximum number of individuals that can reside in juvenile rehabilitation institutions while ensuring compliance with juvenile justice standards. The bill emphasizes the necessity of individualized assessments for juveniles, focusing on mental health and substance abuse issues, and mandates the development of community-based rehabilitation programs. It also requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to create a formal inmate classification system and placement criteria to protect vulnerable youth, alongside the introduction of substance abuse treatment and vocational education programs.

Additionally, the bill outlines new protocols for the transfer of juvenile offenders to community facilities and mandates notification to law enforcement and educational institutions regarding the release of offenders, particularly those with violent or sexual convictions. It specifies that individuals convicted as adults for offenses committed under the age of 18 should be placed in juvenile facilities unless certain capacity conditions are met. The bill also establishes that individuals cannot be transferred to the Department of Corrections until they reach 25 years of age, with exceptions for safety risks and voluntary transfer requests. Furthermore, it requires regular reviews of individuals in DCYF custody and includes provisions for an annual report to the legislature on custody transfers and outcomes. If specific funding is not provided by June 30, 2025, the act will become null and void.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 13.40.020, 13.40.460, 72.05.420, 13.40.215, 72.01.410
Substitute Bill: 13.40.020, 13.40.460, 72.05.420, 13.40.215, 72.01.410
Second Substitute: 13.40.020, 13.40.460, 72.05.420, 13.40.215, 72.01.410