OLYMPIA – In a major step forward for juvenile justice reform, the Washington State House of Representatives has passed House Bill 1391, legislation aimed at improving and standardizing juvenile diversion programs across the state. Sponsored by Rep. Julio Cortes (D-Everett), the bill seeks to remove barriers to diversion, strengthen community-based rehabilitation, and ensure a more equitable and effective approach to juvenile justice.
HB 1391 prioritizes alternatives to incarceration by expanding access to diversion programs through the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). It also establishes uniform data collection and reporting standards to measure the success of these programs and improve outcomes for youth. By focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment, the bill aims to provide young people with opportunities to rebuild their lives without the lasting consequences of a criminal record.
“Diversion works,” said Rep. Cortes. “Youth who participate in diversion programs have lower recidivism rates, better educational outcomes, and a greater chance of success in adulthood. By prioritizing community-based rehabilitation over punitive measures, we are investing in a future where all young people can thrive.”
The bill makes several key changes to Washington’s juvenile justice system. It prohibits parents and guardians from preventing a juvenile from entering into a diversion agreement, ensuring that youth have access to these programs regardless of family circumstances. Additionally, it clarifies that a diversion agreement cannot be entered into for offenses committed after an individual’s eighteenth birthday. Cases where a diversion attempt was made may still be filed in juvenile court until the individual turns 21, after which they would be filed in adult court.
HB 1391 also expands the scope of consolidated juvenile service programs to include more effective services and referrals for diverted youth. The DCYF is authorized to provide grant funding to local governments for community-based diversion initiatives, with grant distribution determined by a funding formula developed by the department. This financial support will help sustain and grow diversion programs, ensuring that more young people have access to alternatives to incarceration.
To create consistency in how diversion programs operate statewide, the bill requires the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), in consultation with DCYF and juvenile court administrators, to develop standardized definitions, outcome measures, and data collection methods. These new requirements will allow for better tracking of program effectiveness, with the first report due by July 1, 2026. Juvenile courts will also be required to transmit data on diversion agreements to the AOC, which will publish an annual report detailing program results.
Another significant provision of HB 1391 is the removal of juvenile diversions from what is considered “criminal history,” ensuring that participation in a diversion program does not carry the same long-term consequences as a formal conviction. The bill also broadens the definition of “community-based rehabilitation” to include intake appointments, reinforcing the importance of early intervention services.
With the passage of HB 1391, Washington State continues to move toward a juvenile justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation and second chances over punitive measures. The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
