OLYMPIA… On the final day for Senate bills to be considered by the House of Representatives, the majority Democrats in the House — including the Speaker of the House — fumbled a critical opportunity to alleviate dangerous overcrowding in Washington’s juvenile-justice facilities, leaving both residents and staff members in crisis.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, sponsored Senate Bill 5278 in direct response to worsening conditions at facilities like Green Hill School in Chehalis. These conditions have deteriorated significantly since the passage of juvenile-justice laws in 2018 and 2019 — particularly the policy known as “JR to 25,” which allows persons convicted as minors to remain in juvenile facilities until age 25 rather than transferring to adult prisons.

The JR-to-25 policy has contributed to escalating violence, gang activity, riots, drug smuggling, and overdoses at Green Hill. The facility — overseen by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) — has become increasingly unmanageable. Some staff members have even been implicated in illegal activity.

SB 5278 would have given DCYF critical tools to address the overcrowding, violence, and drug abuse at Green Hill. Braun has worked closely with the agency, repeatedly soliciting feedback to ensure the bill meets its needs and prioritizes the safety and rehabilitation of youth in custody.

Braun issued this statement in response to the House’s failure to act:

“The fact that this bill didn’t even receive a vote in the House after passing unanimously in the Senate is a dereliction of duty by House Democrats and the Speaker. Sadly, it’s not surprising — it’s yet another example of the majority enabling violent offenders to harm each other and the public, a pattern we’ve seen time and again in their legislation. Democrats even passed a bill this year to vacate Green Hill residents’ convictions for rioting.

“This legislative session will end without giving DCYF the tools it desperately needs to confront overcrowding that has already led to riots, smuggling, assaults, and overdoses. It’s a stunning failure — and it will have real, human consequences.

“Just today I heard from a constituent who is concerned about a family member who works at Green Hill and fears for their life. They described the situation there as a powder keg. A staff member recently required medical attention from accidental exposure to fentanyl smuggled into the facility, and it’s not the first time it’s happened. I’m told the average new hire lasts less than a month. House Democrats turned their backs on the situation – on a real solution.

“We have a moral obligation to ensure that youth in state custody receive the rehabilitation and support they need to change the course of their lives. But overcrowding caused by Democrat-led policies has made this nearly impossible. Staff are stretched beyond capacity and young people are being housed alongside violent adults — individuals who should be in the custody of the Department of Corrections.

“By continuing to play political games with the lives of those who live and work in these facilities, Democrats are perpetuating dangerous conditions — conditions that could cost someone their life. They should accept responsibility for that.”

“Washington has already closed two juvenile rehabilitation facilities. The new facility in Aberdeen — months away from being operational — is unlikely to resolve the crisis. For more than a year, Green Hill has been operating at well beyond its intended capacity. Without legislative action, it will remain unmanageable and unsafe.”