Opinion ID: 1121511
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Less Restrictive Alternative.

Text: Petitioners argue that the Statute violates equal protection because it does not require consideration of less restrictive alternatives to confinement. They point to the mental health statute, RCW 71.05, which requires consideration of such alternatives as a precursor to confinement. See RCW 71.05.240,.320. [33] We agree. The State cannot provide different procedural protections for those confined under the sex predator statute unless there is a valid reason for doing so. Here, the State offers no justification for not considering less restrictive alternatives under RCW 71.05, and denying the same under RCW 71.09. Not all sex predators present the same level of danger, nor do they require identical treatment conditions. Similar to those committed under RCW 71.05, it is necessary to account for these differences by considering alternatives to total confinement. We therefore hold that equal protection requires the State to comply with provisions of RCW 71.05 as related to the consideration of less restrictive alternatives. Less restrictive alternatives were not considered in either Young's or Cunningham's respective trials. Given our resolution in Cunningham's case, we are concerned only with the effect of this holding in regard to Young. We remand Young's case for consideration of alternatives to confinement. Because the sex predator determination has already been made, the finder of fact need only consider if the less restrictive alternatives are appropriate.