SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5360

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 10, 1993

Brief Description:  Creating new procedures for reporting domestic violence.

SPONSORS: Senators A. Smith, Roach, Spanel, M. Rasmussen, Winsley and von Reichbauer

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5360 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; Quigley, Vice Chairman; Hargrove, McCaslin, Nelson, Niemi, Rinehart, Roach, and Spanel.

Staff:  Susan Carlson (786‑7418)

Hearing Dates: February 2, 1993; February 10, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The final report of the Domestic Violence Task Force included recommendations that the Legislature mandate the use of simplified form protection orders, require instructions and brochures explaining the process for obtaining a protection order, and provide for the translation of these items for non-English speaking persons.  The task force also recommended that the Legislature require statewide collection of law enforcement data identifying all incidents of domestic violence.  These proposals were included in legislation considered in the 1992 session, but were vetoed by the Governor due to a lack of funding.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature finds that domestic violence is a problem of immense proportions, that the existing protection order process should be refined to require the use of standard forms, and that information should be translated for use by non-English speaking persons.  To assist in policy formulation, data about reported incidents of domestic violence needs to be gathered from law enforcement. 

By January 1, 1994, the Administrator for the Courts, in consultation with interested persons, is required to prepare instructions, informational brochures, standard petition and order for protection forms, and a court staff handbook on domestic violence.  The petition and order forms must be used for all protection orders sought after April 15, 1994. 

Beginning January 1, 1994, all law enforcement agencies must submit records of incidents of domestic violence to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.  A compilation of this data must be included in the annual report of crime produced by the association.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The date for completion of development of the instructions, informational brochures, mandatory forms and court staff handbook is extended to July 1, 1994.  The date for required use of the forms is extended to September 1, 1994.  Section 2 of the bill is reorganized and broken into subsections.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

The development of instructions, informational brochures, mandatory forms and a court staff handbook will be valuable to victims, law enforcement and court staff.  The reporting of incidents of domestic violence will provide better information about the nature and extent of the domestic violence problem and result in improved planning and allocation of resources to address the problem.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Bev Ickes, WA Assoc. of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs; Janet McLane, Office of the Administrator for the Courts; PRO:  Sheri Yeatts, King County Prosecutor Protection Order Program; Lupe Cavazos, Seattle City Attorney Family Violence Project; Mary Pontarolo, WA State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Nancy Ashley, Human Services Roundtable; Jane Hague, Bellevue City Council; Pam Davenport, Secretary of State's Office; Debbie Wilke, WA Assoc. of County Officials