CONTACT:  Ana Rodriguez, Associate Planner, Community Planning & Economic Development Department, or e-mail Thurston.Planning@co.thurston.wa.us

OLYMPIA – Washington State Government has mandated jurisdictions allow Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) Sex Offender Housing, an alternative to total confinement. Offenders may be placed in LRA Housing if the courts determine they no longer meet the definition of ‘sexually violent predator’.

The new code will outline requirements and standards for LRA Housing facilities owned and operated by a private provider. Draft code language, public comment, and related documents being considered at the public hearing are available online on the Less Restrictive Alternative Sex Offender Housing webpage.

What county government can do:

Update county code to:

• Require notification of nearby businesses and residences when a request to change building use to LRA Housing has been submitted for review.
• Provide an opportunity for the community to provide feedback on the building use change by written comment or verbally at a public hearing.
• Require that the building meet current building codes, water and sanitation, and food handling requirements.

What county government can’t do: 

• Deny the building use change request based on it being LRA Sex Offender Housing, per Washington State Law.

What: Public Hearing on Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) Code: State-Mandated Sex Offender Housing
When: Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. or soon after
Where: Room 110, Atrium of Thurston County, 3000 Pacific Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501 or online at https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/planning-commission.

How to Submit Public Comments
In-Person or Virtually: Those wishing to testify should appear in person or virtually and be heard. Testimony will be accepted at the Wednesday, June 5 public hearing.

Written Comments: You can submit written comments if you cannot attend. Please submit your comments no later than 12 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2024, by using the comment form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CSN7YDF.

        Email to: Ana Rodriguez at Thurston.Planning@co.thurston.wa.us
        Mail to:
               Thurston County, Community Planning & Economic Development
               Attn: Ana Rodriguez, Associate Planner
               3000 Pacific Avenue SE
               Olympia, WA 98501

Meeting information will be posted on the Planning Commission’s webpage one week before the hearing: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/planning-commission.

Comment on the State Law: To comment on the LRA Housing Washington State Law contact your representative: https://leg.wa.gov/House/Representatives/Pages/default.aspx.            

Background: 
In Washington State, there are two types of less restrictive alternatives into which courts can place individuals: secure community transition facilities operated by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and less restrictive alternative housing operated by a private provider. Thurston County Code does not include regulations for privately contracted facilities. LRA Housing is an alternative to total confinement for sex offenders. Such offenders may be placed in LRA Housing if the courts determine they no longer meet the definition of ‘sexually violent predator’.

Disability Accommodations: To request disability accommodations, call the Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator at least three days prior to the meeting at 360-786-5440. Persons with speech or hearing disabilities may contact via Washington Relay:  711 or 800-833-6388.

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