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HB 1248

Improving the effectiveness of juvenile justice programs by providing ongoing evaluations and clarifying juvenile diversion practices.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Travis Couture

HB 1248 mandates ongoing evaluations of juvenile diversion programs and clarifies diversion practices to improve effectiveness and consistency across Washington's justice system.

Referred to Rules 2 Review.
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Bill Summary · HB 1248

Legislative bill overview

HB 1248 establishes requirements for ongoing evaluation of juvenile justice diversion programs in Washington state and clarifies practices and standards for how juveniles are diverted from the formal criminal justice system. The bill aims to ensure these programs are evidence-based and effectively reduce youth involvement in the justice system while maintaining public safety.

Why is this important

Juvenile diversion programs are critical decision points that can significantly alter a young person's life trajectory—keeping them out of the criminal system can improve educational and employment outcomes. Systematic evaluation requirements ensure taxpayer dollars fund programs that actually work, and clarification of diversion practices creates consistency across jurisdictions rather than having wide variation in how similarly situated youth are treated.

Potential points of contention

  • Program costs and implementation burden: Mandatory ongoing evaluations require resources; the bill's fiscal impact on counties and the state may be disputed, particularly for smaller jurisdictions with limited budgets
  • Diversion vs. accountability concerns: Some stakeholders may argue that clearer, more expansive diversion practices could reduce consequences for youth, raising questions about victim impact and proportional accountability
  • Data and measurement standards: Disagreement may arise over what constitutes effective evaluation metrics, how success is measured, and whether standardized measures work across diverse communities with different demographic needs

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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