FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5513

                          C 332 L 99

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Augmenting provisions for execution witnesses.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Costa, Long, Franklin, Zarelli, Heavey, Hargrove, T. Sheldon, Rossi and Shin).

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections

Background:  Persons wanting to witness the execution of an offender sentenced to death must apply at least 20 days prior to the execution date.  The superintendent of the penitentiary designates the total number of witnesses and determines the number of witnesses allowed from media representatives, judicial officers, representatives from the victim=s families, and representatives from the family of the defendant.  Not less than 10 days prior to the execution, the superintendent files the witness list with the superior court and the court certifies the list.

Summary:  No less than five media representatives can be designated as witnesses.  Representatives of victims= families includes victim advocates of the immediate family members.  Up to two law enforcement representatives may be selected as witnesses.  The chief law enforcement officer of the agency that investigated the crime designates the law enforcement representatives.  The prosecuting attorney may send a deputy prosecuting attorney.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 44 0

House     83 10

House     79 11 (House reconsidered, amended)

Senate    43 1 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 25, 1999