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Republicans criticize juvenile-sentencing bill 52 96 and warn on parental-rights measures
Summary
Republican senators called Senate bill 52 96 a partisan approach that reduces some juvenile sentences and shifts costs to counties, and they raised alarms about recent parental-rights bills and initiatives they say exclude parents from schools and block referendums.
OLYMPIA — At a week-10 media briefing, Republican leaders sharply criticized Senate bill 52 96, which they said revises juvenile sentencing and shifts rehabilitation costs to local jurisdictions, and they raised concerns about parental-rights legislation and newly filed initiatives.
Carlene Johnson of the Center Square asked whether the caucus opposes SB 52 96. "This is a bill, came out of the senate on partisan vote," a Republican speaker said, adding that the proposal would reduce sentences in some cases, potentially including "fairly violent crimes," and would push costs to counties that may not afford them. Speakers recommended an alternative, bill 5278, saying it would give the Department of Children, Youth & Families "more tools to manage the population in a safer, more responsible way." The press availability did not include text of either bill.
On parental-rights measures, Republicans said a bill referred to in the transcript as "12 96" and other related measures (variously cited as 51 81 / 5181) reflect a majority approach they view as removing parents from the equation in schools. A Republican speaker said the majority declined to include a referendum clause and "slapped an emergency clause" on the bill, which they interpreted as an effort to prevent voters from overturning the measure by referendum.
"They undermine the relationship between parents and the school districts," one senator said, adding that the majority's approach would be "just wrong" for children and families. Republican leaders characterized the issue as a continuing fight and said they expect public opposition if the majority moves the bills forward.
Reporters asked for specifics about the newly filed initiative; Republicans said they had not read the filing and therefore would not offer a detailed comment on its language. No formal action or vote occurred during the availability; speakers framed the remarks as priorities and criticisms rather than final policy outcomes.
