Washington state Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, released a statement Thursday, April 17, airing his frustration with House Democrats for not moving forward with a bill that, if passed, would implement juvenile rehabilitation reforms designed to alleviate overcrowding and safety concerns at Green Hill School in Chehalis.

“This legislative session will end without giving the (Department of Children, Youth and Families) 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,” Braun said.

The bill at issue, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5278, makes policy changes that would enable the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) to take immediate action to reduce the population at Green Hill School. Among other changes, the bill incentivizes the department to transfer residents either toward community programs or to the state Department of Corrections when certain criteria are met.

The session has seen a swath of bills aimed at addressing overcrowding in the juvenile rehabilitation system, and work has begun on a new facility in Aberdeen; however, the timeline for that facility to begin operating has seen regular delays. In his statement, Braun came down on House Democrats for not moving forward with the bill that has so far seen bipartisan support in the Legislature.

“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,” Braun said. “Washington has already closed two juvenile rehabilitation facilities. The new facility in Aberdeen — months away from being operational — is unlikely to resolve the crisis. Without legislative action, it will remain unmanageable and unsafe.”

Green Hill School has been operating over its safe capacity for more than a year, according to DCYF. In the summer of 2024, reports showed the 180-resident facility hosting more than 230 residents. Washington Republicans have frequently placed the blame for recent overcrowding and safety concerns on a 2018 policy commonly referred to as JR-to-25 that allows residents to remain in juvenile facilities until turning 26.

Given the financial impact of the bill and comments from Senate Democrats who included funding for juvenile rehabilitation in earlier budget proposals, it’s possible the bill could still be passed before the final legislative deadline of the 2025 session on April 27.