HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No. HB  2351

Victims/sexual assault/address confidentiality program    Hrg Date: 1/20/98 

Brief Title

Reps. McDonald/Costa                                 Staff Contact: S. Lundin

Sponsor                                    Comm. on Govt. Admin.

                                           Phone: 786-7127

BACKGROUND:

A system of address confidentiality for victims of domestic violence is established in the Secretary of State=s office.  A participant in this program may use an address designated by the Secretary of State as her or his residential address, school address, or work address.  All first class mail that is delivered to the participant at the designated address is forwarded to the participant.

Records of the actual address of a participant may not be disclosed except to law enforcement agencies, by court order, or if the certification of the person in the program has been canceled.

The Secretary of State may designate state and local agencies and nonprofit agencies that provide counseling and shelter services to victims of domestic assault to assist persons applying to be program participants.

A program participant may apply for on-going absentee voter and receive ballots in the same manner as a service voter.

SUMMARY:

The system of address confidentiality for victims of domestic violence is expanded to include victims of sexual assault.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:    Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.