Raise the Age

Report Description: Recommendations regarding the implementation of juvenile court jurisdiction expansion to encompass persons 18, 19, and 20 years old. Recommendations shall include an implementation plan for the expansion, including necessary funding, essential personnel, and programmatic resources, measures necessary to avoid a negative impact on the state's child protection response, and specific milestones related to operations and policy.

Implementation Plan Requirements: A timeline for structural and systemic changes within the juvenile justice system for the juvenile rehabilitation division; the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families; the Department of Corrections; and the juvenile court pursuant to chapter 13.04 RCW. An operations and business plan that defines benchmarks, including possible changes to resource allocations; a review of the estimated costs avoided by local and state governments with the reduction of recidivism and an analysis of cost savings reinvestment options; and estimated new costs incurred to provide juvenile justice services to persons 18, 19, and 20 years old.

Report Due: Jun. 30, 2025

Workgroup Co-Leads:

  • OJJ Staff Co-Lead: Heidi Sadri
  • PCJJ Co-Lead: Andrew Hill, Excelsior Wellness

Workgroup Meeting Schedule:

  • Feb. 14, 2024 | 2-4 p.m.  
  • Apr. 10, 2024 | 2-4 p.m.  
  • Jul. 10, 2024 | 2-4 p.m. 
  • Sept. 11, 2024 | 2-4 p.m.  
  • Nov. 13, 2024 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.  | Join via Teams
  • Jan. 8, 2025 | 2-4 p.m.  | Join via Teams
  • Mar. 12, 2025  | 2-4 p.m.  | Join via Teams

Technical Assistance Providers: 

Workgroup Membership:

  • Frank Thomas, Minority & Justice Commission 
  • Roxana Gomez, Legal Counsel for Youth and Children 
  • Nicholas Oakley, Center for Children & Youth Justice 
  • Izzy Eads
  • Julissa Sanchez, CHOOSE 180 
  • Prachi Dave, Civil Survival 
  • Stephanie Budrus, DCYF Office of Public Affairs 
  • Katie Hurley, King County Department of Public Defense 
  • Jimmy Hung, King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office 
  • Paul Daniels, King County Superior Court 
  • Nicole McGrath, UW Law School Tribal Defense Clinic 
  • Jenny Young, Office of Juvenile Justice & Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative 
  • Liz Mustin, Office of Public Defense 
  • Michael Althauser, Senate Democratic Caucus 
  • Kelsey-anne Fung, Senate Human Service Committee 
  • Arthur Longworth, TeamChild
  • Dr. Eric Trupin, University of Washington Medicine Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Sciences 
  • Jack Murphy, Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administrators 
  • Norrie Gregoire, Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administrators 
  • Judge Jennifer Forbes, Washington State Superior Court Judges' Association 
  • Tristan Eddy, Justice for Girls
  • Hailey Gray, Justice for Girls
  • Dre Thornock, Tulalip Tribe
  • Allie Steinberg, CHOOSE 180
  • Charles Smith, Mockingbird Society
  • Daniel Wable
  • Katie Bailey
  • Stephanie Hinshaw, Stand for Children 
  • Amity Bjork, Criminal Defense Attorney
  • Kolanye Bykoff, DCYF Juvenile Rehabilitation
  • Shanyne Noel, DCYF Juvenile Rehabilitation
  • Earnie McGinnis, DCYF Juvenile Rehabilitation
  • Cory King, DCYF Juvenile Rehabilitation
  • Alexi Castilla, Office of Juvenile Justice & Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative
  • Alex Narvaez, Legal Counsel for Youth and Children