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A MOTION declaring the intent of the King County Council to maintain operations of the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center.

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                     WHEREAS, in 2012, King County voters approved a $210,000,000 levy to construct a replacement Youth and Family Justice Center, and

                     WHEREAS, in February 2020, King County began operating the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center, and

                     WHEREAS, on July 21, 2020, the executive committed to converting youth detention units at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center to other uses no later than 2025, and

                     WHEREAS, the King County council has received and reviewed three reports on the plan for achieving zero youth detention and for instituting a strategic planning process for the future of secure juvenile detention at the children and family justice center, including reports dated September 30, 2021, June 30, 2022, and August 4, 2023, and

                     WHEREAS, the final of report, entitled Care and Closure:  Final Strategic Planning Report on the Future of Secure Juvenile Detention, is submitted by the executive, and

                     WHEREAS, during the March 27, 2024, hearing of King County council law and justice committee, there were substantial concerns expressed by councilmembers about the direction of Care and Closure Final Strategic Planning Report on the Future of Secure Juvenile Detention, including the proposed secure detention alternatives to the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center;

                     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:

                     It is the intent of the King County Council not to close the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center and keep it open and operating with secure detention services provided.