HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS
HB 2368
Title:An act relating to security on campuses of institutions of higher education.
Brief Description:Registering sex offenders and kidnappers, and regulating firearms, on campuses of institutions of higher education.
Sponsors:Representatives Carlson, Kenney, Radcliff, Gardner, Kastama, Anderson, Constantine, and Mason.
House committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections
Hearing Date:January 20, 1998.
Prepared By:Mark G. Hamilton, Counsel (786-7310).
Background:Sex and Kidnapping Offender Registration.
Registration. Currently, convicted sex offenders and kidnappers are required to register with the sheriff of the county in which they reside. However, there are no registration requirements for such offenders who are students at institutions of higher education.
Penalty. Currently, the knowing failure to register is a class C felony or a gross misdemeanor, depending on the underlying conviction.
Weapons Restrictions. Currently, weapons, including firearms, are not permitted on elementary or secondary education institutions. Violation is a gross misdemeanor. However, there are no similar state law restrictions on college campuses.
Summary:Sex and Kidnapping Offender Registration on College Campuses.
Section 1 amends RCW 9A.44.130 as follows:
Registration. RCW 9A.44.130(1) adds new language requires an adult or juvenile who has been convicted of a sex or kidnapping offense, or who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of such an offense, to register with the department of public health of any public or private institution of higher education within ten days of receiving notice of admission. Information to be provided is: (a) name, (b) address, (c) date and place of birth, (d) place of employment, (e) crime for which convicted, (f) date and place of conviction, (g) aliases used, and (h) social security number.
Penalty. RCW 9A.44.130(7) specifies that an offender who knowingly fails to register with the county sheriff or institution of higher education is guilty of either a class C felony or a gross misdemeanor, depending on the severity of the sex or kidnapping crime for which the offender was convicted.
Weapons Restrictions on College Campuses.
Section 2 amends RCW 9.41.280 as follows:
Weapons Unlawful on Campus. RCW 9.41.280(1) expands weapons restrictions on educational campuses by making it unlawful to carry onto or possess certain weapons, including firearms, on the grounds of public or private institutions of higher education.
Institutional Disciplinary Measures. RCW 9.41.280(2) permits an institution of higher education to subject student offenders to disciplinary measures, in addition to any punishment imposed as a gross misdemeanor.
Firearm Exceptions. RCW 9.41.280(3)(b), (i), and (k) provide new exceptions for students of institutions of higher education who: (1) deposit firearms at designated firearm storage facilities upon entering campus with a legally owned firearm; (2) either have a concealed pistol license or are exempt from the licensing requirement, or are merely passing through the campus with a legally carried weapon; or (3) are involved in an event, game, or competition authorized by the institution in which firearms are a requisite part.
Martial Arts Weapons Exception. RCW 9.41.280(4) provides exceptions for weapons used in martial arts classes authorized by the institution.
Rules Authority:No.
Fiscal Note:Requested January 14, 1998.
Effective Date:Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.