SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5326

                As Passed Senate, March 7, 1995

Title:  An act relating to registration of sex offenders.

Brief Description:  Revising provision for registration of sex offenders.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Long, Fairley, Roach, Hargrove, West, Oke and Winsley).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/9/95, 2/15/95 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/7/95, 47‑0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5326 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Dennis Martin (786-7403)

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

Summary of Bill:  Sex offenders under the jurisdiction of the United States probation service or convicted under the laws of a foreign country are required to register with the county sheriff in the offender's county of residence.

Whenever any person required to register as a sex offender moves to another state or a foreign country, he or she must send written notice to the county sheriff with whom he or she last registered.  Written notice must be submitted to the county sheriff within ten days of establishing the new residence.

Prosecutors must demonstrate that a sex offender has moved from the residence where he or she is registered in order to prosecute an offender for failure to notify the county sheriff when he or she has moved.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The bill will assist local law enforcement and prosecutors to monitor and enforce the sex offender registration requirements.  Expanding the persons required to register will promote public protection.  The law is currently unclear whether an offender must notify a county sheriff when he or she establishes residence in another state.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Detective Robert A. Shilling, Seattle Police Dept. (pro); Tom McBride, WAPA (pro).

House Amendment(s):  A person found not guilty by reason of insanity of a sex offense must register as a sex offender.

When a person registers as a sex offender, the county sheriff shall reasonably attempt to verify that the offender is residing at the registered address.

Technical corrections are made to clarify that the sex offender registration requirements apply to persons convicted of a sex offense under federal or military law.