HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

SB 6279

Title:An act relating to assessments for the prostitution prevention and intervention account.

Brief Description:Imposing an additional assessment for persons entering diversion agreements in regard to prostitution offenses.

Sponsors:Senators Long, Kohl, Hargrove, Zoril, Franklin, Stevens, Show, and Oke.

House Committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections

Hearing Date:February 24, 1998.

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

Background:Adult and adjudicated juvenile offenders convicted of or given a deferred prosecution or sentence for a violation of indecent exposure or specified prostitution statutes or equivalent local ordinances must pay an assessment to the prostitution prevention and intervention account.  The money in the account is used to fund prostitution prevention and intervention activities.

The offenses covered by the assessment provision are: patronizing a juvenile prostitute, indecent exposure, prostitution, permitting prostitution, patronizing a prostitute, and promoting prostitution 1 and 2.  The assessment ranges from $50 to $300 depending upon the offense.

A diversion agreement is a contract between a person accused of an offense and a representative of the prosecutor or the court whereby the person agrees to fulfill certain conditions (community service, restitution, fines, etc.) in lieu of prosecution.  It has been suggested that persons who have their sentences diverted should also be ordered to pay the assessment.  Diversion agreements are distinguished from deferred sentences or prosecution in that with diversions no charges are filed on the underlying offense.

Summary:Persons who have entered into diversion agreements as a result of one of the specified offenses are required to pay an assessment to the prostitution prevention and intervention account.

Rules Authority:No.

Fiscal Note:Available

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