Through HB2907, the legislature intends to enhance community safety by emphasizing rehabilitation of juveniles, even of the most serious violent offenses, convicted under the adult criminal justice system.
When a child under the age of 18 is convicted as an adult in the courts of Washington of a crime amounting to a felony and is committed for a term of confinement, the child shall be placed in a facility operated by the department of social and health services (previously the department of corrections).
Removed in 2907 is language indicating that if the child’s release date is before their 21st birthday, the department of corrections shall transfer custody of the child to DSHS until the child completes their ordered term or turns 21.
A juvenile offender adjudicated of a serious violent offense may be committed by the juvenile court to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families for placement in a correctional institution up to the time the juvenile offender is age 25.5 years old but not beyond.
Effective July 1, 2019.
