FINAL BILL REPORT

2SSB 5073

                              C 366 L 89

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Pullen and Talmadge)

Establishing a central repository for collection and analysis of information on crimes involving bigotry and bias.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice and Committee on Ways & Means

House Committe on Judiciary

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

At present, most law enforcement agencies have not established reporting systems that produce an accurate and comprehensive measurement of the extent of criminal activity that is clearly based on racial or religious motivations.  To date, both local and national responses to these bias crimes have been hindered by the lack of data concerning the number, location, and types of bias crimes.

It is suggested that a bias crime reporting system would assist law enforcement in developing preventive strategies, and provide information for the development and implementation of policy to reduce crimes motivated by race, ethnicity, and religion.  In addition, it may lead to greater public awareness of the problems of bigotry and prejudice.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs is required to establish and maintain a central repository for the collection and classification of information regarding crimes that are motivated by bigotry and bias.  A procedure to monitor, record, and classify bias crimes must be developed by the association, and submitted to the Senate Law and Justice and House of Representatives Judiciary Committees for approval.  This procedure may be established within the association's incident-based reporting program.

Law enforcement agencies are required to report all bias crimes monthly to the association.  The association must summarize the information and file an annual report with the Governor and with the Senate Law and Justice and House of Representatives Judiciary Committees.

Information collected on bias crimes is available for use by any local enforcement agency, unit of local government, or state agency.  Otherwise, the bias crime reporting is subject to all confidentiality requirements imposed by law.

The Criminal Justice Training Commission is required to provide training for law enforcement officers in identifying, responding to, and reporting all bias crimes.

The measure is contingent upon funding in the state budget.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   45    0

     House 92  0

EFFECTIVE:The act is null and void since it was not specifically referenced in the omnibus appropriations act by June 30, 1989.