Committee hears bill to require WSIPP evaluations and adjust juvenile diversion timelines

The House Early Learning and Human Services Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1248, which would require the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to conduct biennial evaluations of juvenile justice programs and would alter several rules governing juvenile diversion agreements, sponsor Rep. Travis Couture said during the committee hearing.

The bill aims to supply program-level data to jurisdictions that administer juvenile diversion and court programs. Committee counsel Luke Wickham summarized current state practice and the bill’s key changes: the state distributes juvenile block grant funding that prioritizes evidence‑based programs, the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) maintains an inventory of evidence‑based and promising practices, and current statute and agency rules limit diversion agreement terms and eligibility. "House Bill 1248 requires the Washington State…