SENATE BILL REPORT

                  2SHB 1214

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

         Human Services & Corrections, March 30, 1995

Title:  An act relating to registration of sex offenders.

Brief Description:  Revising provision for registration of sex offenders.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Mitchell, Carrell, Lambert, Sheahan, McMahan, Huff, Buck, Hickel, Padden, Elliot, Delvin, Kremen, Johnson, Casada, Thompson, Backlund, Honeyford, Mulliken, Boldt and Van Luven).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  3/21/95, 3/30/95 [DP-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Fairley, Kohl, Long, Palmer, Prentice, Schow, Smith and Strannigan.

Staff:  Dennis Martin (786-7403)

Background:  Persons convicted of a sex offense under the laws of Washington, another state, or federal statutes are required to register with the county sheriff in the county of the person's residence.

A person convicted of a sex offense, other than a class A felony, who knowingly fails to register is in violation of the laws of the state and may be convicted of a gross misdemeanor.

Summary of Bill: A person residing in Washington who is convicted of a sex offense in a foreign country or who is under the jurisdiction of the United States probation service on July 23, 1995 is required to register with the county sheriff in the offender's county of residence.

The term "establishing a new residence" is changed to "moving."  A registered sex offender must notify the county sheriff within ten days of moving.

Whenever a person required to register as a sex offender moves out of Washington, he or she must provide written notice to the county sheriff within ten days of moving.

In all cases where a sex offender fails to register or fails to notify the county sheriff whenever he or she moves, the violation is a class C felony.

Any person found not guilty by reason of insanity of committing a sex offense must register as a sex offender.  For persons in the custody of the Department of Social and Health Services on or after July 23, 1995, the person must register within 24 hours after his or her release.   For persons released prior to July 23, 1995, he or she must register within 24 hours of receiving notice of the requirement to register.

When a person registers as a sex offender with the county sheriff, the sheriff must make reasonable attempts to verify the offender is residing at the registered address.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on March 13, 1995.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill will assist local law enforcement to monitor sex offenders who live in the county.  It clarifies when sex offenders must notify law enforcement and the sex offenders who are required to register.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Mitchell, original prime sponsor.