FINAL BILL REPORT

                            SB 5107

                          C 209 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Concerning arrest without warrant.

SPONSORS: Senators Sutherland and A. Smith

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

BACKGROUND:

Principals or other school officials confiscate firearms and dangerous weapons that students bring into schools or onto school grounds.  However, police are unable to make a subsequent arrest because they are not authorized to arrest a person committing a misdemeanor or a gross misdemeanor unless the offense is committed in the presence of an officer.  A student carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon onto school grounds is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

SUMMARY:

A police officer may make a warrantless arrest if the officer has probable cause to believe that a person unlawfully possesses or unlawfully possessed a firearm or dangerous weapon on public or private school premises.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    49   0

House     98   0    (House amended)

Senate    40   0    (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 25, 1993