WA HB1322

Courts must make an independent finding, supported by clear and convincing evidence, that commitment to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families is needed because community-based placement would not adequately protect the community before sentencing a juvenile to confinement exceeding 30 days (excluding certain serious offenses like child molestation, rape, and hit-and-run death)

Juveniles committed to department custody are entitled to a review hearing at the mid-point of their minimum sentence range (but no earlier than four months served), where the court must release them to community supervision unless it makes a finding that continued confinement is necessary for community protection

The substance use disorder and mental health disposition alternative eligibility is expanded to most juvenile offenders regardless of offense category, removing previous restrictions that limited it to local sanctions or 15-36 week confinement ranges

The department must establish contracts with at least four county juvenile court administrators to house juveniles with less than 90 days remaining on their sentences, and must prioritize setting early release dates for juveniles serving under 90 days

Electronic monitoring may be ordered as an alternative to confinement for up to the minimum of the juvenile's standard range, with violations potentially resulting in sanctions or revocation requiring confinement if the court makes the required community protection finding