FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5520

                           C 29 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to intimidation of witnesses.

Sponsors:  Senator McCaslin.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

House Committee on Law & Justice

Background:  Under the current law against intimidating a witness, not all prospective and former witnesses are protected from intimidation or threats.  In particular, persons whom it is believed may be called in an official proceeding and persons whom it is believed may have been called if a hearing or trial had been held are not covered by the existing law.  There have been incidents of threats against people in these categories.

It is felt that the inability to protect these witnesses from intimidation will undermine the pursuit of justice.

Summary:  The current and prospective witnesses protected from intimidation include (1) an individual endorsed as a witness, (2) an individual whom the person making the threats believes may be called as a witness, and (3) an individual whom the person making the threats believes may have information relevant to a criminal investigation or the abuse or neglect of a minor child.

Former witnesses protected from intimidation include (1) an individual who testified, (2) an individual who was endorsed as a witness, (3) an individual whom the person making the threats knew or believed may have been called as a witness if there had been a trial or hearing, and (4) an individual whom the person making the threats knew or believed may have provided information related to a criminal investigation or an investigation into the abuse or neglect of a minor child.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 44 0

House     98 0

Effective:  July 27, 1997