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Kennewick seeks state help finding placements for less‑restrictive alternative housing
Summary
Consultants told the Kennewick City Council that state authority is constrained by federal constitutional limits, and urged the city to pursue a politically viable legislative approach that helps locate less‑restrictive alternative (LRA) homes so courts have placement options short of unconditional discharge.
Consultants Brianna Murray and Kyle Schroeder presented the city’s draft 2027 legislative agenda and urged the council to prioritize work on less‑restrictive alternative (LRA) housing for civilly committed individuals. Murray said the Legislature’s role is limited by federal constitutional constraints but argued state policy can help "find home in community" for LRAs so courts do not resort to unconditional discharge. "A less restrictive and LRA house aims to find home in community," she said.
Councilors pressed for clarity and local leverage: Councilor Trumbo asked staff to identify "hot spots" where LRA siting is a problem and to name legislative leaders willing to carry a proposal; Murray replied that local legislators Representative Connors and Representative Bernard have facilitated dialogue but that a cross‑party approach will be required. Kyle Schroeder noted constitutional layers complicate statutory fixes: "There are a few different sections of the federal constitution... 1 is, I think, the 4th amendment. 1 is the 1st amendment," he said, adding that policy work is focused on siting, community engagement and stakeholder negotiation rather than changing judicial discharge authority.
The presentation did not propose specific statutory language or an ordinance; consultants sought council direction to keep the item as a top legislative priority and to pursue further stakeholder coordination and research before bringing a formal policy proposal forward.
