AN ACT
Relating to harassment; amending RCW 9A.46.020, 9A.46.030, 9A.46.060,
9A.46.100, 9.61.230, 9.94A.155, 10.77.205, and 71.05.425; adding a new section
to chapter 9A.46 RCW; and prescribing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE
OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 1. A new
section is added to chapter 9A.46 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A
person commits the crime of stalking if, without lawful authority and under
circumstances not amounting to a felony attempt of another crime:
(a) He
or she intentionally and repeatedly follows another person to that person's
home, school, place of employment, business, or any other location, or follows
the person while the person is in transit between locations; and
(b)
The person being followed is intimidated, harassed, or placed in fear that the
stalker intends to injure the person or property of the person being followed
or of another person. The feeling of fear, intimidation, or harassment must be
one that a reasonable person in the same situation would experience under all
the circumstances; and
(c)
The stalker either:
(i)
Intends to frighten, intimidate, or harass the person being followed; or
(ii)
Knows or reasonably should know that the person being followed is afraid,
intimidated, or harassed even if the stalker did not intend to place the person
in fear or intimidate or harass the person.
(2)(a)
It is not a defense to the crime of stalking under subsection (1)(c)(i) of this
section that the stalker was not given actual notice that the person being
followed did not want the stalker to contact or follow the person; and
(b) It
is not a defense to the crime of stalking under subsection (1)(c)(ii) of this
section that the stalker did not intend to frighten, intimidate, or harass the
person being followed.
(3) It
shall be a defense to the crime of stalking that the defendant is a licensed
private detective acting within the capacity of his or her license as provided
by chapter 18.165 RCW.
(4)
Attempts to contact or follow the person after being given actual notice that
the person does not want to be contacted or followed constitutes prima facie
evidence that the stalker intends to intimidate or harass the person.
(5) A
person who stalks another person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor except that
the person is guilty of a class C felony if any of the following applies: (a)
The stalker has previously been convicted in this state or any other state of
any crime of harassment, as defined in RCW 9A.46.060, of the same victim or
members of the victim's family or household or any person specifically named in
a no-contact order or no-harassment order; (b) the person violates a court
order issued pursuant to RCW 9A.46.040 protecting the person being stalked; or
(c) the stalker has previously been convicted of a gross misdemeanor or felony
stalking offense under this section for stalking another person.
Sec.
2. RCW
9A.46.020 and 1985 c 288 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A
person is guilty of harassment if:
(a)
Without lawful authority, the person knowingly threatens:
(i) To
cause bodily injury in the future to the person threatened or to any other
person; or
(ii)
To cause physical damage to the property of a person other than the actor; or
(iii)
To subject the person threatened or any other person to physical confinement or
restraint; or
(iv)
Maliciously to do any other act which is intended to substantially harm the
person threatened or another with respect to his or her physical or mental
health or safety; and
(b)
The person by words or conduct places the person threatened in reasonable fear
that the threat will be carried out.
(2) A
person who harasses another is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under
chapter 9A.20 RCW, ((unless)) except that the person is guilty of a
class C felony if either of the following applies: (a) The person has
previously been convicted in this or any other state of any crime of
harassment, as defined in RCW 9A.46.060, of the same victim or members of the
victim's family or household or any person specifically named in a no-contact
or no-harassment order((, in which case the person is guilty of a class C
felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW)); or (b) the person harasses
another person under subsection (1)(a)(i) of this section by threatening to
kill the person threatened or any other person.
(3)
The penalties provided in this section for harassment do not preclude the
victim from seeking any other remedy otherwise available under law.
Sec.
3. RCW
9A.46.030 and 1985 c 288 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
Any
harassment offense committed as set forth in RCW 9A.46.020 or section 1 of
this act may be deemed to have been committed where the conduct occurred or
at the place from which the threat or threats were made or at the place where
the threats were received.
Sec.
4. RCW
9A.46.060 and 1988 c 145 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:
As
used in this chapter, "harassment" may include but is not limited to
any of the following crimes:
(1)
Harassment (RCW 9A.46.020);
(2)
Malicious harassment (RCW 9A.36.080);
(3)
Telephone harassment (RCW 9.61.230);
(4)
Assault in the first degree (RCW 9A.36.011);
(5)
Assault in the second degree (RCW 9A.36.021);
(6)
Simple assault [Assault in the fourth degree] (RCW 9A.36.041);
(7)
Reckless endangerment [in the second degree] (RCW 9A.36.050);
(8)
Extortion in the first degree (RCW 9A.56.120);
(9)
Extortion in the second degree (RCW 9A.56.130);
(10)
Coercion (RCW 9A.36.070);
(11)
Burglary in the first degree (RCW 9A.52.020);
(12)
Burglary in the second degree (RCW 9A.52.030);
(13)
Criminal trespass in the first degree (RCW 9A.52.070);
(14)
Criminal trespass in the second degree (RCW 9A.52.080);
(15)
Malicious mischief in the first degree (RCW 9A.48.070);
(16)
Malicious mischief in the second degree (RCW 9A.48.080);
(17)
Malicious mischief in the third degree (RCW 9A.48.090);
(18)
Kidnapping in the first degree (RCW 9A.40.020);
(19)
Kidnapping in the second degree (RCW 9A.40.030);
(20)
Unlawful imprisonment (RCW 9A.40.040);
(21)
Rape in the first degree (RCW 9A.44.040);
(22)
Rape in the second degree (RCW 9A.44.050);
(23)
Rape in the third degree (RCW 9A.44.060);
(24)
Indecent liberties (RCW 9A.44.100);
(25)
Rape of a child in the first degree (RCW 9A.44.073);
(26)
Rape of a child in the second degree (RCW 9A.44.076);
(27)
Rape of a child in the third degree (RCW 9A.44.079);
(28)
Child molestation in the first degree (RCW 9A.44.083);
(29)
Child molestation in the second degree (RCW 9A.44.086); ((and))
(30)
Child molestation in the third degree (RCW 9A.44.089); and
(31)
Stalking (RCW 9A.46.--- (section 1 of this act)).
Sec.
5. RCW
9A.46.100 and 1985 c 288 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
As
used in RCW 9.61.230 ((or)), 9A.46.020, or section 1 of this
act, a person has been "convicted" at such time as a plea of
guilty has been accepted or a verdict of guilty has been filed, notwithstanding
the pendency of any future proceedings including but not limited to sentencing,
posttrial motions, and appeals.
Sec.
6. RCW
9.61.230 and 1985 c 288 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
Every
person who, with intent to harass, intimidate, torment or embarrass any other
person, shall make a telephone call to such other person:
(1)
Using any lewd, lascivious, profane, indecent, or obscene words or language, or
suggesting the commission of any lewd or lascivious act; or
(2)
Anonymously or repeatedly or at an extremely inconvenient hour, whether or not
conversation ensues; or
(3)
Threatening to inflict injury on the person or property of the person called or
any member of his or her family or household;
shall be
guilty of a gross misdemeanor, ((unless)) except that the person is
guilty of a class C felony if either of the following applies: (a) That
person has previously been convicted of any crime of harassment, as defined in
RCW 9A.46.060, with the same victim or member of the victim's family or
household or any person specifically named in a no-contact or no-harassment
order in this or any other state((, in which case the person is guilty of a
class C felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW)); or
(b)
That person harasses another person under subsection (3) of this section by
threatening to kill the person threatened or any other person.
Sec.
7. RCW
9.94A.155 and 1990 c 3 s 121 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) At
the earliest possible date, and in no event later than ten days before release
except in the event of escape or emergency furloughs as defined in RCW
72.66.010, the department of corrections shall send written notice of parole,
community placement, work release placement, furlough, or escape about a
specific inmate convicted of a violent offense ((or)), a sex
offense as defined by RCW 9.94A.030, or a felony harassment offense as
defined by RCW 9A.46.060 or section 1 of this act, to all of the following:
(a)
The chief of police of the city, if any, in which the inmate will reside or in
which placement will be made in a work release program; and
(b)
The sheriff of the county in which the inmate will reside or in which placement
will be made in a work release program.
(2)
The same notice as required by subsection (1) of this section shall be sent to
the following if such notice has been requested in writing about a specific
inmate convicted of a violent offense ((or)), a sex offense as
defined by RCW 9.94A.030, or a felony harassment offense as defined by RCW
9A.46.060 or section 1 of this act:
(a)
The victim of the crime for which the inmate was convicted or the victim's next
of kin if the crime was a homicide;
(b)
Any witnesses who testified against the inmate in any court proceedings
involving the violent offense; and
(c)
Any person specified in writing by the prosecuting attorney.
Information
regarding victims, next of kin, or witnesses requesting the notice, information
regarding any other person specified in writing by the prosecuting attorney to
receive the notice, and the notice are confidential and shall not be available
to the inmate.
(3) If
an inmate convicted of a violent offense ((or)), a sex offense as
defined by RCW 9.94A.030, or a felony harassment offense as defined by RCW
9A.46.060 or section 1 of this act, escapes from a correctional facility,
the department of corrections shall immediately notify, by the most reasonable
and expedient means available, the chief of police of the city and the sheriff
of the county in which the inmate resided immediately before the inmate's
arrest and conviction. If previously requested, the department shall also
notify the witnesses and the victim of the crime for which the inmate was
convicted or the victim's next of kin if the crime was a homicide. If the
inmate is recaptured, the department shall send notice to the persons
designated in this subsection as soon as possible but in no event later than
two working days after the department learns of such recapture.
(4) If
the victim, the victim's next of kin, or any witness is under the age of
sixteen, the notice required by this section shall be sent to the parents or
legal guardian of the child.
(5)
The department of corrections shall send the notices required by this chapter
to the last address provided to the department by the requesting party. The
requesting party shall furnish the department with a current address.
(6)
For purposes of this section the following terms have the following meanings:
(a)
"Violent offense" means a violent offense under RCW 9.94A.030;
(b)
"Next of kin" means a person's spouse, parents, siblings and
children.
(7)
Nothing in this section shall impose any liability upon a chief of police of a
city or sheriff of a county for failing to request in writing a notice as
provided in subsection (1) of this section.
Sec.
8. RCW
10.77.205 and 1990 c 3 s 104 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a)
At the earliest possible date, and in no event later than ten days before
conditional release, final discharge, authorized furlough pursuant to RCW
10.77.163, or transfer to a less-restrictive facility than a state mental
hospital, the superintendent shall send written notice of the conditional
release, final discharge, authorized furlough, or transfer of a person who has
been found not guilty of a sex ((or)), violent, or felony
harassment offense by reason of insanity and who is now in the custody of
the department pursuant to this chapter, to the following:
(i)
The chief of police of the city, if any, in which the person will reside; and
(ii)
The sheriff of the county in which the person will reside.
(b)
The same notice as required by (a) of this subsection shall be sent to the
following, if such notice has been requested in writing about a specific person
committed under this chapter:
(i)
The victim of the crime for which the person was committed or the victim's next
of kin if the crime was a homicide;
(ii)
Any witnesses who testified against the person in any court proceedings; and
(iii)
Any person specified in writing by the prosecuting attorney.
Information
regarding victims, next of kin, or witnesses requesting the notice, information
regarding any other person specified in writing by the prosecuting attorney to
receive the notice, and the notice are confidential and shall not be available
to the person committed under this chapter.
(c) In
addition to the notice requirements of (a) and (b) of this subsection, the
superintendent shall comply with RCW 10.77.163.
(2) If
a person who has been found not guilty of a sex ((or)), violent,
or felony harassment offense by reason of insanity and who is committed
under this chapter escapes, the superintendent shall immediately notify, by the
most reasonable and expedient means available, the chief of police of the city
and the sheriff of the county in which the person resided immediately before
the person's arrest. If previously requested, the superintendent shall also
notify the witnesses and the victim, if any, of the crime for which the person
was committed or the victim's next of kin if the crime was a homicide. The
superintendent shall also notify appropriate persons pursuant to RCW
10.77.165. If the person is recaptured, the secretary shall send notice to the
persons designated in this subsection as soon as possible but in no event later
than two working days after the department learns of such recapture.
(3) If
the victim, the victim's next of kin, or any witness is under the age of
sixteen, the notice required by this section shall be sent to the parents or
legal guardian of the child.
(4)
The department shall send the notices required by this chapter to the last
address provided to the department by the requesting party. The requesting
party shall furnish the department with a current address.
(5)
For purposes of this section the following terms have the following meanings:
(a)
"Violent offense" means a violent offense under RCW 9.94A.030;
(b)
"Sex offense" means a sex offense under RCW 9.94A.030;
(c)
"Next of kin" means a person's spouse, parents, siblings, and
children;
(d)
"Authorized furlough" means a furlough granted after compliance with
RCW 10.77.163;
(e)
"Felony harassment offense" means a crime of harassment as defined in
RCW 9A.46.060 that is a felony.
Sec.
9. RCW
71.05.425 and 1990 c 3 s 109 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a)
Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, at the earliest possible
date, and in no event later than ten days before conditional release, final
discharge, authorized leave under RCW 71.05.325(2), or transfer to a
less-restrictive facility than a state mental hospital, the superintendent
shall send written notice of conditional release, final discharge, authorized
leave, or transfer of a person committed under RCW 71.05.280(3) or
71.05.320(2)(c) following dismissal of a sex ((or)), violent,
or felony harassment offense pursuant to RCW 10.77.090(3) to the following:
(i)
The chief of police of the city, if any, in which the person will reside; and
(ii)
The sheriff of the county in which the person will reside.
(b)
The same notice as required by (a) of this subsection shall be sent to the
following, if such notice has been requested in writing about a specific person
committed under RCW 71.05.280(3) or 71.05.320(2)(c) following dismissal of a
sex ((or)), violent, or felony harassment offense pursuant
to RCW 10.77.090(3):
(i)
The victim of the sex ((or)), violent ((crime)), or
felony harassment offense that was dismissed pursuant to RCW 10.77.090(3)
preceding commitment under RCW 71.05.280(3) or 71.05.320(2)(c) or the victim's
next of kin if the crime was a homicide;
(ii)
Any witnesses who testified against the person in any court proceedings; and
(iii)
Any person specified in writing by the prosecuting attorney.
Information
regarding victims, next of kin, or witnesses requesting the notice, information
regarding any other person specified in writing by the prosecuting attorney to
receive the notice, and the notice are confidential and shall not be available
to the person committed under this chapter.
(2) If
a person committed under RCW 71.05.280(3) or 71.05.320(2)(c) following
dismissal of a sex ((or)), violent, or felony harassment
offense pursuant to RCW 10.77.090(3) escapes, the superintendent shall
immediately notify, by the most reasonable and expedient means available, the
chief of police of the city and the sheriff of the county in which the person
resided immediately before the person's arrest. If previously requested, the
superintendent shall also notify the witnesses and the victim of the sex ((or)),
violent ((crime)), or felony harassment offense that was
dismissed pursuant to RCW 10.77.090(3) preceding commitment under RCW
71.05.280(3) or 71.05.320(2) or the victim's next of kin if the crime was a
homicide. In addition, the secretary shall also notify appropriate parties
pursuant to RCW 71.05.410. If the person is recaptured, the superintendent
shall send notice to the persons designated in this subsection as soon as
possible but in no event later than two working days after the department
learns of such recapture.
(3) If
the victim, the victim's next of kin, or any witness is under the age of
sixteen, the notice required by this section shall be sent to the parent or
legal guardian of the child.
(4)
The superintendent shall send the notices required by this chapter to the last
address provided to the department by the requesting party. The requesting
party shall furnish the department with a current address.
(5)
For purposes of this section the following terms have the following meanings:
(a)
"Violent offense" means a violent offense under RCW 9.94A.030;
(b)
"Sex offense" means a sex offense under RCW 9.94A.030;
(c)
"Next of kin" means a person's spouse, parents, siblings, and
children;
(d)
"Felony harassment offense" means a crime of harassment as defined in
RCW 9A.46.060 that is a felony.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 10. If any
provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held
invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other
persons or circumstances is not affected.
