H-3573.1          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 2361

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State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

By Representatives Costa, Ballasiotes, Sheahan, Morris, Lambert, Conway, Scott, Chappell, Veloria and Chopp

Read first time 01/10/96.  Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

Limiting evidence presented by the defense of competence in criminal proceedings.

     AN ACT Relating to presenting evidence of mental disease in a criminal proceeding; and adding a new section to chapter 10.58 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 10.58 RCW to read as follows:

     In the guilt phase of a criminal proceeding, the defendant may not present evidence that a mental disease, disorder, or illness prevented the defendant from forming the requisite mental state for the crime charged unless the defendant has first pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity under chapter 10.77 RCW.

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