FINAL BILL REPORT

                                   ESSB 5825

                                  C 221 L 91

                              SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Restricting offenders' possession of firearms.

SPONSORS:Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Nelson, Madsen, Thorsness, Erwin, Rasmussen, Oke and L. Kreidler; by request of Department of Corrections).

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Corrections' community corrections officers currently supervise felon offenders in the community with increased emphasis on home and field contacts.  These officers are finding that a growing number of the offenders under supervision are in possession of firearms or ammunition in violation of state and/or federal law.  Concerned with community and officer safety, the Department of Corrections recommends that offenders under supervision be prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. 

SUMMARY:

As a sentence condition and requirement, offenders sentenced to terms involving community supervision, community service, or community placement under the Department of Corrections may not own, use, or possess firearms or ammunition.

Offenders found in actual or constructive possession of firearms or ammunition are subject to the appropriate violation process and sanctions.

Firearms or ammunition owned, used, or possessed by offenders may be confiscated by community corrections officers and turned over to local law enforcement agencies for disposal as provided by law.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate      46    0

House 87    0     (House amended)

Senate                  (Senate refused to concur)

House 96    0     (House receded)

EFFECTIVE:  July 28, 1991