Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee

HB 2883

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Establishing a registration fee for sex offenders.

Sponsors: Representatives Klippert, O'Brien, Pearson, Haler, Hurst, Wallace and McCune.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Establishes a $65 registration fee for a sex or kidnapping offender who is required by law to register and for a sex or kidnapping offender who moves to a new county.

  • Requires the county sheriff who collects the registration fee to use it for the purpose of implementing and enforcing sex and kidnapping offender registration laws.

Hearing Date: 1/29/10

Staff: Alexa Silver (786-7190).

Background:

A sex or kidnapping offender must register with the county sheriff of the county in which he or she resides, or, if the offender is not a resident of Washington, the county in which the offender attends school or is employed. The offender must provide his or her name, residential address, date and place of birth, place of employment, crime of conviction, date and place of conviction, aliases, Social Security number, photograph, and fingerprints. Law enforcement officials use the information in the registry to notify the public, subject to certain guidelines, of a sex offender's presence in the community.

If an offender moves to a different county, he or she must send signed written notice to the county sheriff of the new county of residence 14 days before moving and must send signed written notice to the county sheriff of the county of the previous residence within 10 days of moving.

Summary of Bill:

A sex or kidnapping offender who is required by law to register must pay a $65 fee upon registration to the county sheriff. The county sheriff must use the fee for the purpose of implementing and enforcing sex and kidnapping offender registration laws.

If a sex or kidnapping offender who is required by law to register moves to a new county, he or she must pay a $65 fee to the sheriff in the new county. The county sheriff in the new county of residence must use the fee for the purpose of implementing and enforcing sex and kidnapping offender registration laws.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.