Rep. Morgan Irwin’s bill giving youth courts jurisdiction over transit infractions passes state House
Rep. Morgan Irwin, R-Enumclaw, saw his first bill as a state lawmaker pass the House in a unanimous 98-0 vote on Thursday. Before House Bill 1199 was declared passed, Irwin participated in a long-standing tradition of friendly hazing from both sides of the aisle in recognition of his first legislation.
House Bill 1199 would allow youth courts to have jurisdiction over transit infractions.
“This is simply a clean-up bill. The proposal will add transit infractions to current youth court provisions,” said Irwin. “This will help 16 or 17-year-olds with a first time infraction receive training and instructional opportunities to understand what they did wrong.”
Currently, youth courts only have jurisdiction over traffic infractions. These include parking, standing, stopping, and pedestrian offenses as found in the state motor vehicle code. Irwin’s bill would add transit infractions as part of the jurisdiction youth courts hold. These infractions would include offenses that took place on a bus, train, or other means of public transit such as failure to pay the required fare, failing to produce proof of payment, or failing to depart a bus, facility, or other mode of transportation when asked to leave.
“This bill is a productive way for youth to learn from their mistakes in hopes they won’t repeat their infraction,” said Irwin. “Rather than pushing a paper ticket or fine onto these youth, it’s about educating them to make better decisions in the future.”
HB 1199 now heads to the Senate Human Services, Mental Health and Housing Committee for further consideration.
