The secretary shall establish policy guidelines for the siting of secure community transition facilities, other than the secure community transition facility established pursuant to RCW 71.09.250(1)(a)(i), which shall include at least the following minimum requirements:

     (1) The following criteria must be considered prior to any real property being listed for consideration for the location of or use as a secure community transition facility:

     (a) The proximity and response time criteria established under RCW 71.09.285;

     (b) The site or building is available for lease for the anticipated use period or for purchase;

     (c) Security monitoring services and appropriate back-up systems are available and reliable;

     (d) Appropriate mental health and sex offender treatment providers must be available within a reasonable commute; and

     (e) Appropriate permitting for a secure community transition facility must be possible under the zoning code of the local jurisdiction.

     (2) For sites which meet the criteria of subsection (1) of this section, the department shall analyze and compare the criteria in subsections (3) through (5) of this section using the method established in RCW 71.09.285.

     (3) Public safety and security criteria shall include at least the following:

     (a) Whether limited visibility between the facility and adjacent properties can be achieved prior to placement of any person;

     (b) The distance from, and number of, risk potential activities and facilities, as measured using the policies adopted under RCW 71.09.285;

     (c) The existence of or ability to establish barriers between the site and the risk potential facilities and activities;

     (d) Suitability of the buildings to be used for the secure community transition facility with regard to existing or feasibly modified features; and

     (e) The availability of electronic monitoring that allows a resident's location to be determined with specificity.

     (4) Site characteristics criteria shall include at least the following:

     (a) Reasonableness of rental, lease, or sale terms including length and renewability of a lease or rental agreement;

     (b) Traffic and access patterns associated with the real property;

     (c) Feasibility of complying with zoning requirements within the necessary time frame; and

     (d) A contractor or contractors are available to install, monitor, and repair the necessary security and alarm systems.

     (5) Program characteristics criteria shall include at least the following:

     (a) Reasonable proximity to available medical, mental health, sex offender, and chemical dependency treatment providers and facilities;

     (b) Suitability of the location for programming, staffing, and support considerations;

     (c) Proximity to employment, educational, vocational, and other treatment plan components.

     (6) For purposes of this section "available" or "availability" of qualified treatment providers includes provider qualifications and willingness to provide services, average commute time, and cost of services.

[2003 c 216 § 5; 2001 2nd sp.s. c 12 § 214.]

NOTES:

     Severability -- Effective date -- 2003 c 216: See notes following RCW 71.09.300.

     Intent -- Severability -- Effective dates -- 2001 2nd sp.s. c 12: See notes following RCW 71.09.250.