SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1024

BYRepresentatives Appelwick, Padden, Wineberry, Locke, O'Brien, Zellinsky, Heavey, R. King, Anderson, Wolfe, Moyer, Ballard, Wang, S. Wilson, Pruitt, Sprenkle, Jesernig, Valle, Inslee, Tate, Winsley, P. King, Walker, Brough, Dellwo, Rector, Cooper, Jones, Todd,H. Myers, Patrick, Jacobsen, Kremen,Van Luven, D. Sommers, R. Fisher, Gallagher, Crane, Miller, Morris, Fraser, Schmidt, Silver, Phillips, Rasmussen, Scott, Cole, K. Wilson, Spanel and Bowman; by request of Department of Corrections

Notifying victims and witnesses of sex offenses of escape, release, or furlough of inmates.

House Committe on Judiciary

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 23, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Pullen, Chairman; Nelson, Newhouse, Niemi, Rasmussen, Talmadge.

Senate Staff:Joyce Ansley (786-7418)

                  March 23, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, MARCH 23, 1989

BACKGROUND:

If requested in writing, written notice concerning parole, work release or furlough of a violent offender must be sent within ten days prior to release to (1) the police chief of the city where the inmate will reside, (2) the county sheriff where the inmate will reside, (3) the victim or victim's next of kin, (4) witnesses who testified against the inmate, and (5) anyone else specified by the prosecuting attorney.  Notice is also sent in the event of an offender's escape or emergency furlough.  The Department of Corrections is required to provide victims and witnesses involved in violent offense cases with a statement of their right to request and receive this notification.

SUMMARY:

The statute is broadened to provide for notice of a sex offender's release.  The Department of Corrections must provide notice of release of both violent offenders and sex offenders.  The Department of Corrections must also provide victims and witnesses involved in sex crimes with a statement of their right to request and receive notification of the offender's release.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 19, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Bill Stutz, Department of Corrections (pro); Ralyn Baird, King County Prosecutors Victim Assistance Unit (pro)