Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Higher Education Committee

HB 2872

Brief Description:  Changing campus community crime reporting.

Sponsors:  Representatives Lantz, Morris, Mulliken, Boldt, Carrell, Lovick, Kenney, Holmquist, Fromhold, Esser, Veloria, Skinner, Buck, Dunshee, Dunn, Casada, Chase and Upthegrove.

Brief Summary of Bill

$The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) are required to develop definitions of "campus community" for each two- and four-year college campus by June 30, 2004.

$Annual campus crime reports must also include crimes within the campus community as defined by the HECB or the SBCTC, and all significant increases in crime or patterns of criminal incidents that occur on campus or in the campus community must be publicized through the local campus media.

Hearing Date:  2/5/02

Staff:  Antonio Sanchez (786‑7383).

Background:

Institutions that have commissioned campus police are required to report campus crime statistics monthly to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.  Those institutions with non‑commissioned campus police must report campus crime statistics through local law enforcement agencies.  Each institution is also required to publish an annual campus crime statics report for the most recent three‑year period and have that report available upon request by application.  Campus crime reports contain data that are specific to the geographical jurisdiction of the campus only.  The campus crime report is provided to all students and campus employees yearly.  State law does not currently require the mandatory publication of campus criminal activities through campus media.

Summary of Bill:

The Higher Education Coordinating Board is required to develop definitions of campus community for each four-year college campus by June 30, 2004.  The HECB is required to develop, adopt, and update rules related to defining campus community in consultation with local law enforcement agencies, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, local prosecuting attorneys, the SBCTC, private institutions of higher education, and the campus security departments at each institution. The SBCTC is also required to develop definitions of campus community for each community college campus by June 30, 2004.  The definitions must be developed, adopted, and updated in consultation with local law enforcement agencies, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, local prosecuting attorneys, the HECB, private institutions of higher education, and the campus security departments at each institution. Definitions of campus community must be updated every 10 years.

Annual campus crime reports must also include crimes within the campus community as defined by the HECB or the SBCTC.

All significant increases in crime or patterns of criminal incidents that occur on campus or in the campus community must be publicized through the local campus media.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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