Washington Senate Passes Controversial Bill on Juvenile Riot Charges

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A contentious bill aimed at easing prison riot charges for juvenile offenders has cleared both chambers of the Washington State Legislature, with the Senate approving the measure Tuesday in a 27-21 vote. The bill, HB 1815, now advances to Governor Bob Ferguson’s desk following a previous House vote of 64-33 on March 12.

Backed by Democrats and some Republicans, the legislation seeks to redefine how juvenile detention facilities are classified under state law, particularly regarding prison riot charges. Currently, even a minor altercation between two youths can lead to a Class B felony charge of riot, carrying a penalty of up to 10 years in adult prison. HB 1815 aims to change that by no longer categorizing facilities run by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) or county juvenile jails as “correctional institutions,” thereby limiting the application of riot laws.

Supporters argue this change is essential to shift the focus from treating juvenile facilities like maximum-security institutions. “It’s time we stop treating youth facilities as adult prisons,” Senator Claire Wilson (D-Auburn) stated during a recent debate. “Juveniles can still face consequences for their actions, but they should be charged with crimes specific to their behavior, such as custodial assault.”

Critics, however, caution that the bill may allow serious incidents to go unpunished. Senate Minority Leader John Braun (R-Centralia) highlighted a recent case where a riot involving 25 individuals occurred at Green Hill detention center, underscoring the potential danger of minimizing such charges. “We must consider that not all disturbances are mere fights,” Braun noted, emphasizing the risk of leniency in handling serious misconduct.

In Lewis County, the discussion over the bill has been particularly intense, as it is the only youth facility in Washington that continues to enforce riot charges even for small scale disturbances. Critics argue that branding teens as “rioters” for simple fights is unjust and disproportionate.

Legal advocates also express concern over the retroactive aspect of the legislation, which would allow previously charged juveniles to petition for expungements of their riot records. Senate Minority Leader Leonard Christian (R-Spokane Valley) warned, “This likely opens a floodgate to legal challenges, complicating our system further, while already stretched resources would bear the burden of this influx.”

As the bill awaits Governor Ferguson’s signature, its fate remains uncertain. Ferguson has not publicly taken a stance on the legislation, but the recent bipartisan support for its passage suggests a shifting attitude towards juvenile justice reform in Washington.