HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2316

Title:An act relating to release of information about sex offenders and kidnapping offenders.

Brief Description:Merging conflicting double amendments involving public disclosure about sex offenders and kidnappers.

Sponsors:Representatives Ballasiotes, Scott, Sheahan and McDonald.

House committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections

Hearing Date:January 20, 1998. 

Prepared By:Yvonne Walker, Research Analyst (786‑7841). 

Background:In 1997, the legislature passed two bills (chapters 113 and 364) amending the public notification and offender registration process for sex offenders and kidnappers.  Chapter 113 required kidnappers to register with local law enforcement agencies upon release from custody.  Chapter 364 required the Department of Corrections (DOC), the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA), and the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) to classify all sex offenders released from their facilities into three risk levels for the purposes of public notification:  level I (low risk), II (moderate risk), or III (high risk). 

As a result, the legislature  passed two separate bills covering the same chapters and sections of the RCW. 

Summary:Merges conflicting double amendments involving public disclosure about sex offenders and kidnappers.  This is a technical amendment that updates two RCW sections which were amended in 1997.  Current law remains unchanged.  Rules Authority:No. 

Fiscal Note:None requested.

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