SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6174
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 10, 1994
Brief Description: Enacting programs to reduce youth violence.
SPONSORS: Senators Talmadge, Wojahn, Ludwig, Gaspard, Pelz, Niemi, Prentice, Fraser, Spanel, Franklin, Rinehart, Moore and Williams; by request of Governor Lowry
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6174 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Talmadge, Chairman; Wojahn, Vice Chairman; Deccio, Franklin, Fraser, Hargrove, McAuliffe, Moyer, Niemi, Prentice, Quigley and Winsley.
Staff: Richard Rodger (786‑7461)
Hearing Dates: January 4, 1994; January 17, 1994; January 18, 1994; January 20, 1994; January 21, 1994; January 31, 1994
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Majority Report: That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6174 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chairman; Quigley, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Gaspard, Hargrove, Ludwig, Moyer, Niemi, Owen, Pelz, Snyder, Spanel, Sutherland, Talmadge, Williams and Wojahn.
Staff: Tim Yowell (786-7715); Terry Wilson (786-7715)
Hearing Dates: February 9, 1994; February 10, 1994
BACKGROUND:
Increasing violence in our society threatens the long-term economic, social and public safety interests of the state. Violence, by and against, youth has increased at an alarming rate over the past decade. Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are at the highest risk of being both perpetrators and victims of violence. In addition to youth violence, acts of random violence, including homicide and the use of firearms, has sharply escalated over the last decade.
Many factors have contributed to the escalation of violence. These factors include: Poverty, abuse and neglect, domestic violence, substance abuse, racism, increased firearm availability, fragmentation of family and community structures, increased illegal gang activity, and the glamorization of violence by the media.
Addressing the problem of violence requires a comprehensive approach and a concerted effort of families, schools, communities, and state and local governments.
SUMMARY:
The original bill included comprehensive provisions relating to family services, alternatives to violence, youth violence prevention and intervention, and public safety.
EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:
Many of the provisions of the original bill were incorporated into the proposed substitute. The proposed substitute contains the following provisions:
I. INTENT
New intent language is added.
II.PUBLIC HEALTH
Data Collection. The Department of Health is designated as the agency for the coordination of all information relating to violence and other intentional injuries. The department is directed to develop comprehensive rules for the collection and reporting of data relating to incidents of violence and associated risk factors. The data collection and reporting rules shall be used by any entity required to report such data.
The department will provide any necessary data to the local health departments for use in the planning or evaluation of community networks. The department shall publish periodic reports on intentional injuries and their associated risk and protective factors.
Program Standards and Outcome Measures. The public health improvement plan created by the Health Services Act of 1993 shall include:
1)Minimum standards for state and local public health assessment, policy development, and assurance regarding social development to prevent violence and other public health threats.
2)Measurable risk factors which may lead to violence, teen pregnancy and parentage, dropping out of school, drug abuse, suicide, and other health problems.
3)Data collection and analysis standards for use by the local public health departments, the state council, and the local community networks. The standards shall ensure consistent and interchangeable data.
4)Recommendations to reduce statutory barriers affecting data collection or reporting.
Rules Established. The Department of Health shall establish, by rule, standards for local health departments to use in assessment, policy development and assurance regarding social development to prevent health problems caused by social, educational, or behavioral factors, such as: violence and delinquency, substance abuse, teen pregnancy and parentage, suicide attempts, dropping out of school, and child abuse and neglect. The standards shall be based on the standards in the public health improvement plan.
Voluntary Violence Screening. The Department of Health shall develop a suggested reporting format for use by the print, television, and radio media in reporting their voluntary violence reduction efforts. The Legislature encourages the use of a statewide voluntary, socially-responsible policy to reduce the emphasis, amount, and type of violence in all public media.
Each area of the public media may carry out the policy in whatever manner they deem appropriate.
Evaluation. The standards shall be used by the Legislative Budget Committee for evaluating the outcome of the community networks plans and efforts.
III. COMMUNITY NETWORKS
Definitions. "At-risk" children and youth are those who risk significant loss of social, educational, or economic opportunities. At-risk behaviors include violence and delinquency, substance abuse, teen pregnancy and parentage, suicide attempts, and dropping out of school. Children and youth at-risk include those who are victims of violence, abuse, neglect, and those who have been removed from the custody of their parents.
Community Public Health and Safety Networks. Community public health and safety networks are created to reduce the number of children and youth who are at-risk. The networks shall:
1)Review local public health data relating to at-risk children and youth;
2)Prioritize the risk factors and protective factors to reduce the likelihood of their children and youth being at-risk. The priorities shall be based upon the local public health data and shall utilize the data standards established by the Department of Health;
3)Develop long-term community plans to reduce the number of at-risk children and youth; set definitive, measurable goals, based upon the department of health standards; and project desired outcomes;
4)Distribute funds to local programs that reflect the locally established priorities;
5)Meet outcome-based standards for determining success; and
6)Cooperate with department of health and local boards of health to provide data and determine outcomes.
The community network membership is limited to 21 people and shall include representation from the following: citizens, youth, ethnic minorities, counties, cities, towns, Indian tribes, local school districts, children's commissions, law enforcement, superior court, local health departments, early childhood education and assistance program, DSHS-community service office, Employment Security, parks and recreation programs, private agency service providers, broad-based nonsecular organizations, and a locally owned and operated business.
The Governor shall appoint a temporary chair of each community network by September 1, 1994. The temporary chair shall convene the initial meeting to select membership and appoint a chair. The chair shall submit a proposed membership list to the Governor for his consideration by November 1, 1994. The proposed list of members shall become final on December 20, 1994, unless the Governor determines that the membership does not adequately represent the parties identified in the bill, or that a member has a conflict of interest.
Each community network selects a public entity as the lead administrative and fiscal agency.
Planning Grants and Assistance. All regional networks are eligible to receive planning grants and technical assistance on January 1, 1995. After receiving the planning grant a region will be given a year to submit its plan. Beginning July 1, 1995, up to one-half of the networks will be eligible to receive funds for prevention and early intervention programs. The networks that did not receive the initial grants will be eligible, upon approval of their plans, to receive such funds on January 1, 1997.
Community Public Health and Safety Council. The family policy council is renamed the community public health and safety council. Effective May 15, 1994, the membership of the council is expanded to include a representative of a county, city, town, Indian tribe, school district, children's commission, law enforcement agency, superior court, private agency service provider, parks and recreation program, and a chief executive officer from two major Washington corporations.
Council's Duties. The council's duties include:
*Determining the boundaries for the networks by July 1, 1994. There is a presumption that the network boundaries should not divide a county, or encompass an area with a population of less than 50,000 people;
*Developing a training program to assist communities in creating community networks;
*Approving the structure, purpose, goals, and plans of each community network;
*Identifying prevention and early intervention programs and funds, in addition to those set forth in the bill, which could be transferred to the community networks;
*Authorizing the transfer, in whole or part, of additional programs and funds to the community networks;
*Rewarding networks which reduce state-funded out-of-home placements;
*Reviewing the implementation of this act and making recommendations to the legislature;
*Assisting the Governor in requesting any necessary federal waivers and coordinating any necessary efforts to make changes in federal law;
*Reviewing the state-funded out-of-home placement rate to determine whether the rate was sufficiently reduced the region. If it is determined that the placement rate was not sufficiently reduced the council may reduce the grant for the next contract period.
Treatment Programs. The council may, by a two-thirds vote remove from the grants any of these programs which are used for treatment, as defined in the bill. The community network may demonstrate that a specific program, or a part of a program, should not be granted by meeting the criteria set forth in the bill.
Community Plan Approval Process. The council shall only disburse funds to a community network after a comprehensive community plan has been prepared and approved by the council. In approving the plan the council shall consider whether the network:
1)Promoted input from the widest practical range of agencies and affected parties;
2)Reviewed the indicators of violence data compiled by the local public health departments and incorporated a response to those indicators in the plan;
3)Obtained certification of its plan by the largest health department in the region, ensuring that the plan met the department of health's minimum standards for assessment and policy development relating to violence prevention;
4)Included a specific mechanism of data collection and transmission based on the rules established by the Department of Health;
5)Isolated only one or a few of the elements of the cause and cure of violence in the plan to the exclusion of others;
6)Committed to make measurable reductions in the number of at-risk children and youth and reductions in at least three of the following areas: out-of-home placements, DJR placements, teen pregnancy/parentage, teen suicide attempts, or violent criminal acts by juveniles.
Prevention Programs for Granting. Except as provided below, the following programs and funds shall be granted to community public health and safety networks which have an approved plan:
*Victim's Assistance (except sexual assault) - DSHS/DCFS
* Family Preservation and Support Services - DSHS/DCFS
*Consolidated Juvenile Services - DSHS/DJR
*Even Start - CAT
*Readiness to Learn - OSPI
*Drug and Alcohol Prevention - OSPI
* Violence Prevention - DCD
*Community Mobilization - DCD
* Community-Police Partnership - CJTC
Regulation of Programs. No state agency may require any program requirements for the granted funds, except as necessary to meet federal funding standards. None of the funds which are granted to the community networks shall be considered new entitlements.
Office of Financial Management (OFM). The OFM shall develop the fund distribution formula for determining allocations to the community public health and safety networks by December 20, 1994. OFM shall reserve five percent of the funds for the purpose of rewarding community networks that show exceptional reductions in the number of youth placements in state-funded out-of-home settings.
Group Homes. The Secretary of DSHS and the Insurance Commissioner shall conduct a study regarding liability issues and insurance rates for private nonprofit group homes.
DSHS will make its nonconfidential evaluation and research materials on group homes available to group home contractors.
IV. PUBLIC SAFETY
Curfew Laws. Any city, town, or county may enact a youth curfew law to protect youth from violence or to prevent unlawful youth activity.
Minor's Driver Licenses. Any minor convicted of an offense involving the use or possession of a firearm shall lose his or her privilege to possess a driver's license until age 18.
Definitions. Definitions are provided in the firearm statute for "deadly weapon," "ammunition," and "dealer."
Crimes that Disqualify a Person from Possession of a Firearm. Adds to the list of offenses which disqualify a person from possessing a pistol: domestic violence offenses, malicious harassment offenses, and the "most serious offenses" from Initiative 593.
Concealed Pistol Licenses. The Department of Licensing (DOL) must enter the application information for a concealed pistol license and the issuance or denial of a license into its record bank. DOL also must ensure that all the information is incorporated in an on-line format.
A person may only apply for a concealed pistol license in the municipality or county in which he or she resides. A political subdivision can not refuse to accept an application for a concealed pistol license.
The issuing authority has 45 days to process the application for a resident, and 75 days for an applicant who does not have a valid Washington driver's license or identification card. The time for issuance of the license may be extended 30 days if there is a question of whether a disqualifying conviction has been entered.
The period for which a concealed pistol license is valid is changed from four years to two years. The fee for the original issuance of a two-year license remains at $23. Renewals are required every two years instead of four years, the fee remains at $15. The fees are redistributed.
The existing provision which imposes a misdemeanor offense upon any person who makes a false statement concerning citizenship on the application for a concealed pistol license is modified. Each false statement constitutes a separate offense.
Delivery of Pistols and Gun/Ammunition-Free School Zone. No person may deliver a pistol or pistol ammunition to any person under age 21 or to any person who is otherwise ineligible to possess a pistol. Violation of this provision is increased from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor for the first offense and to a class C felony for any subsequent violations. Any person who commits this offense within 1,000 feet of a school is guilty of a class C felony. The minimum sentence for a violation of these provisions in 90 days of confinement.
If a person unlawfully carries a firearm onto a school premise, and the person possesses a concealed pistol license, he or she forfeits the license upon conviction.
Mandatory and Enhanced Sentences. Any juvenile who illegally possesses a pistol shall be confined for a minimum of 10 days. Sentences are enhanced for juveniles who commit a felony while armed with a firearm. A 90 day mandatory minimum sentence is imposed for the unlawful delivery of a pistol, including the unlawful delivery within 1,000 feet of a school.
Application to Purchase a Pistol. It is a criminal offense to make false statements on an application to purchase a pistol. Every dealer shall report data to Department of Licensing regarding all pistol sales. The department is required to develop the forms for reporting.
Retail Dealers/Pistol and Firearms License Fee. The license fee that is paid by retail dealers of pistols is raised from $5 a year to $150 a year. A separate fee is required for the sale of all other firearms. Any dealer who sells firearm ammunition is required to have an ammunition license. The proceeds from these fees shall be used for firearm safety training and emergency medical services and trauma care.
Minors and Firearms. The age at which a minor may legally possess a firearm is raised from 14 to 21. Exceptions are made for a minor to possess a rifle or shotgun: (1) when in the presence of his or her parent or guardian or other adult approved by the parent or guardian; (2) when under the supervision of a safety instructor at a gun range or training class; or (3) while engaged in hunting, while properly licensed.
A minor may only possess a pistol when under the supervision of a safety instructor at a gun range or training class.
The penalty for a first offense is a gross misdemeanor, and a class C felony for each violation thereafter. These provision do not interfere with the right to employ a firearm in self defense.
Penalty Enhancement for Aiming or Discharging a Firearm. The penalty for aiming or discharging a firearm at a person is elevated from a misdemeanor to a class C felony. Willful discharge of a firearm or other weapon in a public place where people might be endangered is raised from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor.
Firearm Theft. The offenses for theft of firearms and possession of stolen firearms are recodified under the firearm statutes.
Parental Liability. Liability is imposed for damages incurred when a parent or guardian negligently or knowingly allows his or her minor child to possess a firearms, when the parent or guardian is aware of a substantial risk of harm. Parents are immune from liability for acts of their children against other immediate family members.
Superior Court Jurisdiction. The superior court shall have original exclusive jurisdiction over all juveniles, ages 16 and 17, who commit a crime of violence. The court may hold a hearing to determine if it is in the public's interest to transfer the case to juvenile court.
A decline hearing, which is the process to charge a juvenile in adult court, must be held in those instances when a juvenile 12 or over is alleged to have committed a "crime of violence" or "most serious offense" with the use of a deadly weapon.
Juvenile Sentencing. All juveniles, rather than those of a specified age, may be sentenced as "serious" or "minor or first offenders." Before imposing an "option B" sentence for a middle offender, the court must first impose and suspend the more punitive "option A" sentence. If the court finds a juvenile to be eligible for the "special sex offender disposition alternative," it may still enter an order of confinement, if it finds a manifest injustice would occur otherwise.
Offender Good Time Credit. The Department of Corrections may establish rules regarding literacy training, employment skills training, or anger management education, as a prerequisite to allowing good time credit.
Business and Occupation Tax. An additional business and occupation tax is levied, in the amount of 0.5 percent, on retail sales of firearms and ammunition.
Domestic Violence. The court, when entering any restraining order, anti-harassment order, or order for protection shall determine whether it is appropriate to require a party to surrender any deadly weapons, surrender any concealed pistol license, prohibit them from obtaining a deadly weapon, or prohibit them from obtaining a concealed pistol license.
Technical Changes. A number of technical corrections are made throughout the Firearms Act.
V. EDUCATION
Violence Program Information. The office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) shall promote interagency sharing of information on violence prevention programs, model violence prevention curricula, and participation with OSPI's Center for the Improvement of Student Learning.
Data. Comprehensive data on school violence is required in the annual school performance reports required under ESHB 1209. The data shall be collected pursuant to the standards developed by the Department of Health.
Performance Standards. Performance standards/criteria on violence is required as part of determination of ESHB 1209 reward, assistance, and intervention programs.
Teacher Training. The state board of education is required to include violence prevention awareness and training as a condition of teacher certification. Require that in-service training regarding violence be offered statewide.
Parenting Skills. Project Even Start curricula shall include violence prevention as part of the parenting skills training program.
Expanded Use of School Facilities. The expanded use of school facilities for after-hours recreational opportunities and day care is encouraged. This expansion may be funded with matching grants by the community networks. The state Board of Education will study other possible incentives to encourage schools to increase space availability for after-hours community use.
Assaults on Staff. Assaults on teachers, school staff, coaches, and volunteers are increased to class C felonies.
Safety Devices. State matching funds to school districts are provided for metal detectors and other safety modifications of facilities for the purpose of violence prevention.
Records. The social file, diversion record, police contact report, and arrest record of a student will be made available to a school district as necessary for the provision of additional services. A parent may file a written statement indicating which records shall remain confidential. The Department of Social and Health Services and the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall adopt rules, consistent with federal law, necessary to implement this provision.
When a school transfers a student's transcript, it may also transfer attendance records, records of unpaid fines or property damage, and any disciplinary records.
VI. EMPLOYMENT
Employment and Training Trust Fund. Any funds in the employment and training trust fund which are unexpended or unencumbered by July 1, 1994, may be granted community networks to increase employment opportunities for undertrained or unemployed youth.
VII. MEDIA
TV Time/Channel Lock. All televisions sold in the state must have a time/channel lock or be sold with the offer to purchase a separate time/channel lock. All cable television stations shall make a time/channel lock available to their customers, at cost.
Age-Rating of Video Games. All video games sold in Washington State shall clearly and prominently display a realistic age-rating for appropriateness of use. The age-rating shall be developed by the software publishers association or the copyright holder of the game, with the documented input of independent educators, parents, and child development experts.
Penalties for Inappropriate Rental Videos to Minors. No business shall sell or rent a video or video game to a person under age 18 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian or the parent or guardian has a written declaration on file with the business authorizing the juvenile's rental or purchase. Civil penalties are be imposed for a violation of this provision
Commercial Use of Virtual Reality Technology. The commercial use of virtual reality technology shall be regulated. Commercial use for entertainment or purposes other than bona fide education, training, research and development shall be subject to a licensure fee. Revenue from the licensing fee, in excess of that required to support the licensure program, is designated for violence prevention efforts, as set forth in the act.
Counter-Advertising Against Violence. Television, including cable television, radio, video rental companies, and newspapers may broadcast public health-based anti-violence "counter-advertising" messages, as a public service. The content, style and format of the messages is developed by the community public health and safety council. The messages may be produced with granted funds from the council, or may be voluntarily produced by the media.
Libraries. Libraries may establish library anti-violence policies and standards to limit minors access to violent videos.
Television Violence Report Card. The state Board of Health shall establish a program for evaluating and ranking television programs by incidence of violence and tracking the sponsors of the programs. The board shall make the results available to the public, the Department of General Administration, and the State Investment Board.
Prohibition of Unrated, X-rated, and NC-17-Rated Motion Pictures in Correctional Facilities. The showing of unrated, X-rated, or NC-17-rated motion pictures in correctional facilities or juvenile detention facilities, either on television or by VCR, is prohibited.
Prohibition of Use of Violent Computer Software and Videos in Schools. (1) The Statewide K-12 Educational Technology Plan shall set forth guidelines for monitoring fictional violent content in computer software and videos used in schools. (2) Each educational service district shall monitor the software and videos used in schools in its region for fictional violent content, using guidelines developed by OSPI. Use of violent software, computer "games" and videos shall be prohibited, with the exception of depiction of actual, historical events for educational purposes.
Disinvestment in Corporations Profiting from Violence. A statutory policy of disinvestment in corporations profiting from violence-related products or services shall be established for all purchasing by the state through the Department of General Administration and for all investments by the State Investment Board. Exceptions are allowed for products related to the national defense and for educational related products and services.
VIII. MISCELLANEOUS
Implementation and Outcome Evaluation. The Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) shall contract to monitor and track the implementation of this act to determine whether these efforts result in a measurable reduction of violence, and evaluate the data provided by the state and local health departments to determine whether the community networks have met the outcome criteria.
If, after the initial five-year period, any network shall not meet the outcome criteria in any two consecutive years, LBC shall recommend to the Legislature whether the funds received by that network shall revert back to the originating agency.
Omnibus Drug Act. The sections of the Omnibus Drug Act of 1989 for revenue purposes of the drug act and this act are reauthorized.
Pop Tax. The carbonated beverage tax is allowed to expire on July 1, 1995. The revenue is replaced with an additional sales tax on cigarettes. The first $2 million per month is deposited in the drug enforcement and education account and the balance or the revenue is deposited in the community network account.
Ammunition Tax. An additional tax is imposed on the sale of bullets in the amount of 9 percent of the sales price. The funds shall be deposited in the community network account to provide grants to community networks for reducing the number of at-risk youth in each community.
Appropriations. Appropriations are made.
Referendum Clause. A referendum clause is included as a single ballot measure for all new revenue provisions.
EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:
Funds. The current drug education and enforcement fund is expanded into a new "violence reduction and drug enforcement" account. A minimum of 7.5 percent of the fund is earmarked for the new violence prevention and early intervention services to be provided by the community networks. The balance of the fund may be used for drug education and enforcement, the increased costs of incarceration resulting from the bill, or any of the other purposes authorized by the bill.
Taxes. No additional tax is imposed on the sale of ammunition. The additional tax on cigarettes is set at 15 cents per pack. Total 1995-97 revenues from the bill are estimated at about $135 million, $95 million of which continues current wine, beer, liquor, and cigarette taxes due to expire June 30, 1995. The remaining $40 million are new revenues available to offset the increased violence reduction efforts proposed in the bill.
Appropriations. All specific appropriations are removed from the bill.
Performance Measures. The Department of Health and the new Community Public Health and Safety Council are required to report periodically to the Governor and the Legislature on the performance outcomes of violence reduction efforts.
Juvenile Sentencing. Persons age 14 and under are not included in the definition of serious offenders, with the result that the juvenile courts may continue to apply Option B community sentencing alternatives. Youth age 16 and 17 classified as serious violent offenders are to be tried as adults. Violent offenders are tried as adults if they have (a) one or more prior violent offenses; or (b) three or more prior felony offenses. There is no longer a provision for 16 and 17 year-olds charged as adults to petition for adjudication under the juvenile law.
Employment and Training Trust Fund. The provision that funds unencumbered as of June 30, 1994 are to be used for youth employment programs is removed.
Concealed Weapons Permits. Permits will continue to be issued for a four-year period. Fees for an initial permit are increased to $30 from $23, and renewal fees are increased from $15 to $20. The additional fee revenue is distributed to local issuing authorities and the Department of Licensing to enforce the permitting process.
Virtual Reality Technology. Age ratings are required on virtual reality games. The licensing requirement for the commercial use of virtual reality technology is eliminated.
Appropriations: none
Revenue: yes
Fiscal Note: requested January 14, 1994 and February 2, 1994
TESTIFIED (Health & Human Services): Governor Mike Lowry; Jean Soliz, Secretary, DSHS; Christine Gregoire, Attorney General; Gene Liddell, Director, Department of Community Development; Vicky Wallen, Governor's Office; Mary McKnew, Governor's Policy Office; Bruce Miyahara, Secretary, Department of Health; Tom McBride, WA Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; Sheriff Jim Sharp, WA Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; Dr. Beti Thompson, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Dr. Bill Beery, Group Health Cooperative; Sharon Stewart Johnson, WA State Association of Local Public Health Officials; Elaine Conley, WSALPHA; Ray Day, Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department; Charles Vaught, Laurie Lippold, The Children's Alliance; Margaret Casey, WA State Catholic Conference; Dave Okimoto, Atlantic Street Center; Rachel Stout, parent; Ronnie Spud, Student; Eliza Wright, student; Sarak Sarakchantoun, Southeast Asian Youth Association; Ashley Bridges, Student; Domico Curry, Seattle Youth Involvement; John Bridge, Ben Bridge Jewelers; Susie Tracy, WSMA; Dr. Richard Seaman, WSMA; Dr. Sidney Schneidman, WSMA; Pamela Eakes, Ms. Mary Glenn, Lorine White, Jackie Spears, Mothers Against Violence in America; Seth Dawson, Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney; Dick Nelson, WA Peace Action; Lonnie Johns-Brown, National Organization of Women; Lee Landrude, Teacher; Nick Federici, Board of Health; Susan Patrick, OSPI; Maureen Young, Mother; Walter Ball, WA Association of School Principals; Mike Patrick, WA State Council of Police Officers, Chiefs and Sheriffs; Mary Pontarolo, Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Tom Milne, Thurston County Health Department; Rudy McCoy, Tacoma Safe Streets Program; Ivy Murphy, Tacoma Safe Streets; Lynn Avalsor, Nintendo Corporation of America; Stu Halsan, WA State Video Dealers; Craig Wilson, Video Store Owner; Jeff Phillips, Video Store Owner; Wilburt Dempsey, Advocates for Youth; Judy Turpin, Northwest Women's Law Center; Mark Allen, WA State Association of Broadcasters; Vito Cheichi, Electronics Industry Association; Jeff Cox, WA Retail Association; Van Stevenson, Motion Picture Assn. of America; Dave Broderick, WA State Hospital Association; Moe Wear, Tacoma Safe Streets; Lance Eric Alway
TESTIFIED (Ways & Means): Tom McBride, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; Tim Erickson, State Patrol; Peter Berliner, The Children's Alliance; Myken Ryherd Kiera, Human Services Roundtable; Walter Ball, AWSP; Lonnie Johns-Brown, National Association of Social Workers, National Organization for Women; Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association; Jean Wessman, Washington Association of Counties; Margaret Casey, Juvenile Court Administrators Association; Joyce Boss, Women for Defense Rights; Janet Anderson, State Board for Community and Technical College Education; Dave Boss; Steve Halsan, Coors Brewery; Liz Stroup; Judy Turpin, Childhaven and Northwest Women's Law Center; Celia Fritz, Motion Picture Association of America; Ken Kanikeberg, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Steve Wehrly, Miller Brewers; Debbie Wilke, Washington Association of County Officials; Jim King, Coalition on Inmate Labor; Mike Erickson, Harbor Wholesale; Stuart Cloud, Smoker Choice; Gwen Garland, Ricardo Rantalla, Wilbert Dempsey, Advocates for Youth; Dave Okimoto, Atlantic Street Center; Myrtle Cooper, Women for Defense Rights; Merton Cooper; Dick Ducharme, Washington Beer and Wine Wholesalers; Jim Halstrom, Seagrams & Sons; Joe Waldron, Gun Owners Action League; Susan Crowley, City of Seattle; Jackie White, Association of Cities