The bill amends RCW 70.48.140 to establish new guidelines for contracts between the United States and county or municipal jails regarding the confinement of individuals in federal custody. It allows jails to choose to accept individuals committed by federal authority when space is available, provided that a contract with the federal government is in place before accepting any new individuals in federal custody. If a person in federal custody is presented to a jail before such a contract is established, the jail may still confine the individual at its discretion. However, after a 180-day period following the acceptance of the first federal custody individual, jails will only be able to accept new individuals under a contract.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that any contract with the federal government must include a daily bed rate that is not less than the rate established by interlocal agreement. It also clarifies that jails retain the discretion to accept individuals in federal custody if there is a reasonable public safety interest in doing so. The amendments aim to ensure that jails have a structured approach to managing federal custody while maintaining public safety and financial considerations.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 70.48.140
Substitute bill: 70.48.140