SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6743

              As Passed Senate, February 15, 2000

Title:  An act relating to limitations on sealing of juvenile offender records.

Brief Description:  Adding a limitation on sealing of juvenile offender records.

Sponsors:  Senators Costa, Hargrove, Long and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/3/2000 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/15/2000, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Costa, Vice Chair; Franklin, Kohl-Welles, Long, Sheahan, Stevens and Zarelli.

Staff:  Jennifer Strus (786-7484)

Background:  In October 1999, the Washington Supreme Court decided State v. T.K.  In this decision, the court ruled that any motion by a juvenile to seal a record on a conviction that occurred before July 1, 1997 (the date on which the Legislature substantially changed the law regarding sealing of records) must be decided based upon the law in effect before July 1997, even if the motion was filed after July 1, 1997.

Summary of Bill:  Any motion to seal a juvenile record that is filed after July 1, 1997 must be decided based upon the criteria contained in RCW 13.50.050 in effect after July 1, 1997 regardless whether the conviction occurred before that date.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill will allow the public and victims access to a greater amount of information about juveniles who have committed sex crimes.

Testimony Against:  This bill will not give some juveniles who have committed some offenses the chance to rehabilitate and move on to become productive citizens.

Testified:  Simmie Baer, Public Defender Association (con); Suzanne Brown, Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (pro).