SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6279

              As Passed Senate, February 12, 1998

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, Zarelli, Franklin, Stevens, Schow and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  1/28/98 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/12/98, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Long, Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Franklin, Hargrove, Kohl, Schow and Stevens.

Staff:  Joan K. Mell (786-7447)

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 in order to avoid 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 of Bill:  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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.