SB 6529 focuses on strengthening opportunities for the rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile offenders. The bill amends the Juvenile Justice Act of 1977 to expand the intent of the original legislation to include the rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile offenders. The bill amends current law that indicates courts may continue the case for disposition for a period not to exceed one year from the date the juvenile is found guilty; revised language indicates the court shall continue the case for disposition for a period not to exceed one year from the date the juvenile is found guilty. It also removes language from current statute that the court shall consider whether the offender and community will benefit from a deferred disposition before deferring the disposition. The bill also amends current law regarding juveniles adjudicated in taking motorized vehicles; the proposed legislation would remove fines imposed on this individuals as well the possibility of being subject to electronic monitoring. The bill also adds language related to police officers’ ability to arrest someone they believe to have committed a felony. The bill would stipulate that any police officer shall arrest a person who is sixteen or seventeen years old and within the preceding four hours has assaulted a family member of household member and the officer believes the felonious assault has occurred or that any physical action occurred that was intended to cause another person to reasonably fear imminent serious bodily injury or death. The bill goes on to state any officer may arrest a person who is sixteen or seventeen years old and within the preceding four hours has assaulted a family member of household member and the officer believes a misdemeanor assault has occurred or an assault has occurred that has resulted in bodily injury to the victim, whether the injury is observable by the responding officer or not. In making these determinations of arrest the officer shall consider intent to protect victims of domestic violence, the extent of injuries inflicted or serious threats creating fear of physical violence, and history of domestic violence or stalking of each person involved, including whether the conduct was part of an ongoing pattern of abuse.
Current law states if a juvenile thirteen years of age or older is found by juvenile court to have committed an offense while armed the court shall notify the Department of Licensing within 24 hours of the judgement. The bill would alter this language by adding a clause that this shall happen unless the offense is the juvenile’s first offense while armed with a firearm. The bill removes language that if the offense is the juvenile’s first violation, the juvenile may not petition the court for reinstatement of the juvenile’s privilege to drive until the juvenile turns 16 or ninety days after the judgement was entered, whichever is later. Finally the bill removes language from current law that if a juvenile enters into a diversion agreement with a diversion unit concerning an offense that is a violation of chapter 66.44, 69.41, 69.50, or 69.52 RCW, the diversion unit shall notify the department of licensing within twenty-four hours after the diversion agreement is signed.
