(1) The department or a private or public entity under contract with the department may establish or relocate for the operation of a work release or other community-based facility only after public notifications and local public meetings have been completed consistent with this section.

(2) The department and other state agencies responsible for siting department-owned, operated, or contracted facilities shall establish a process for early and continuous public participation in establishing or relocating work release or other community-based facilities. This process shall include public meetings in the local communities affected, opportunities for written and oral comments, and wide dissemination of proposals and alternatives, including at least the following:

(a) When the department or a private or public entity under contract with the department has selected three or fewer sites for final consideration of a department-owned, operated, or contracted work release or other community-based facility, the department or contracting organization shall make public notification and conduct public hearings in the local communities of the final three or fewer proposed sites. An additional public hearing after public notification shall also be conducted in the local community selected as the final proposed site.

(b) Notifications required under this section shall be provided to the following:

(i) All newspapers of general circulation in the local area and all local radio stations, television stations, and cable networks;

(ii) Appropriate school districts, private schools, kindergartens, city and county libraries, and all other local government offices within a one-half mile radius of the proposed site or sites;

(iii) The local chamber of commerce, local economic development agencies, and any other local organizations that request such notification from the department; and

(iv) In writing to all residents and/or property owners within a one-half mile radius of the proposed site or sites.

(3) When the department contracts for the operation of a work release or other community-based facility that is not owned or operated by the department, the department shall require as part of its contract that the contracting entity comply with all the public notification and public hearing requirements as provided in this section for each located and relocated work release or other community-based facility.

Effective date—1994 c 271 s 1001: "Section 1001 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1994." [ 1994 c 271 s 1101.]

Purpose—Severability—1994 c 271: See notes following RCW 9A.28.020.