S-3431               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 6172

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Senators Kiskaddon, Talmadge, Bailey and Garrett

Read first time 1/13/88 and referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

AN ACT Relating to reporting violent offenses and child abuse and assault; and amending RCW 9.69.100.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 8, chapter 49, Laws of 1970 ex. sess. as last amended by section 18, chapter 503, Laws of 1987 and RCW 9.69.100 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) A person who witnesses the actual commission of:

          (a) A violent offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030 or preparations for the commission of such an offense;

          (b) A sexual offense against a child or an attempt to commit such a sexual offense; or

          (c) An assault of a child that appears reasonably likely to cause substantial bodily harm to the child,

shall as soon as reasonably possible notify the prosecuting attorney, law enforcement, child protective services, medical assistance, ((or)) and other public officials.

          (2) This section shall not be construed to affect privileged relationships as provided by law.

          (3) The duty to notify a person or agency under this section is met if a person notifies or attempts to provide such notice by telephone or any other means as soon as reasonably possible.

          (4) Failure to report as required by subsection (1) of this section is a gross misdemeanor.  However, a person is not required to report under this section where that person has a reasonable belief that making such a report would place that person or another family or household member in danger of immediate physical harm.