Concerning management of individuals who are placed in juvenile rehabilitation institutions.
HB 1917 updates Washington State's juvenile justice system by redefining key terms and requiring courts to prioritize less restrictive options before placing youth in residential treatment. It mandates that courts consider alternatives like community-based rehabilitation (e.g., counseling, school programs) or community supervision (including up to 150 hours of community restitution) before ordering inpatient care. The bill also requires mandatory court review hearings within 60 days of inpatient placement and every 30 days thereafter, ensuring ongoing assessment of necessity. These changes directly affect youth in the juvenile justice system and the courts, agencies, and facilities managing their cases, with a focus on trauma-informed, culturally responsive support during reentry.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026
Last action Jan 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Substitute Bill
→
Second Substitute Bill
·
5 edits
MODERATE
This bill was reclassified from the Early Learning & Human Services committee to Appropriations and its effective date was updated. The core policy change raises the population threshold for transferring juveniles to adult correctional facilities from 105% to 110% of safe operational capacity. Additionally, the bill adds new requirements for notifying individuals of their transfer rights and clarifies the process for voluntary transfers to adult custody.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding transfer thresholds was expanded by increasing the population limit before mandatory transfers to adult facilities occur, and new procedural requirements were added for notifying individuals of their rights.
REQUIREMENT
Increased the population threshold for mandatory transfers from 105% to 110% of safe operational capacity.
Added a requirement to notify individuals of their transfer rights at least 14 days before placement in a community facility.
Added a new section establishing specific conditions under which juveniles can be released by the Department of Corrections.
TIMELINE
Extended the temporary transfer authority for overcrowding until July 1, 2031.
TECHNICAL
Changed the bill classification from 'Substitute' to 'Second Substitute' and updated the committee assignment to Appropriations.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
8
Committee
11
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Early Learning & Human Services.
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rules Committee relieved of further consideration.
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.
lower
Feb 21, 2025
Committee
Referred to Appropriations.
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 1:30 PM.
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 1:30 PM.
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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