HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

SB 6188

Title:An act relating to registration of sex offenders.

Brief Description:Increasing penalties for failing to register as a sex offender or moving without notifying the county sheriff.

Sponsors:Senators Oke, Benton, Strannigan, Bauer, and Winsley.

House Committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections

Hearing Date:February 27, 1998.

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

Background:A sex offender must register with the county sheriff within 24 hours of being released from confinement.  The offender must also notify the sheriff within 14 days of changing his or her residential address within the state. Sex offenders who move to Washington from another state or a foreign country must register within 30 days of establishing residence.

The crime of failing to register or notify the county sheriff in a timely fashion is either a class C felony or a gross misdemeanor, depending on the seriousness of the offender=s sex offense.  The crime is a class C felony if the underlying sex offense was a felony, and is a gross misdemeanor for all other sex offenses.

Summary:The crime of failing to register as a sex offender is increased to a seriousness level III, class C felony in all cases, regardless of the seriousness of the underlying offense.  The maximum sentence for a class C felony is confinement in a state correctional institution for five years, or by a fine in an amount of ten thousand dollars, or both.

If the offender commits a sex offense while in violation of the registration requirements, then 60 months is added to his or her sentence.  The 60 months is a mandatory, consecutive enhancement to the sex crime sentence.

Rules Authority:No.

Fiscal Note:Requested.

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