SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6398
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. |
As of January 26, 2010
Title: An act relating to the definition of threat.
Brief Description: Adding the definition of threat to malicious harassment provisions.
Sponsors: Senators Kline, McDermott, Keiser, Hobbs, Murray, Jacobsen, Kohl-Welles and Gordon.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Judiciary: 1/12/10.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY |
Staff: Karen Campbell (786-7448)
Background: The definition of threat to do bodily injury in the Criminal Code means to communicate, directly or indirectly, the intent to cause bodily injury in the future to the person threatened or to any other person. On November 24, 2008, the Court of Appeals decided, in an unpublished opinion, that there was insufficient evidence to support a crime of malicious harassment because the threat to cause bodily injury was immediate instead of a threat to do harm in the future. The court based its decision on the fact that the statutory definition of "threat" does not include immediate threats to cause bodily harm.
Summary of Bill: A definition of threat to do bodily injury is added to the malicious harassment statute. The definition includes a threat to cause bodily injury immediately, as well as in the future.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: Yes.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: It is necessary to include threats to do immediate bodily harm in order to adequately prosecute hate crimes. In practice, malicious threats do take the form of immediate harm, not just future harm. It is common to see individuals, acting as a group, making immediate threats to harm those protected by the malicious harassment statute. The change in the statute is necessary to prosecute individuals or groups who make immediate threats and to prevent the spread of hate-based behavior.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Michael Hogan, King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office; Hilary G. Bernstein, Anti-Defamation League.