SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5014

As Passed Senate, March 8, 2001

Title:  An act relating to harmonizing the definitions of sex and kidnapping offenders under the criminal and registration statutes.

Brief Description:  Harmonizing the definitions of sex and kidnapping offenders under the criminal and registration statutes.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Costa, Long, Fraser, Carlson and Gardner).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  1/17/01, 2/9/01 [DPS].

Passed Senate:  3/8/01, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5014 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Costa, Vice Chair; Carlson, Franklin, Hewitt, Kastama, Kohl‑Welles, Long and Stevens.

Staff:  Fara Daun (786‑7459)

Background:  When sex offender registration was originally established, the definition of sex offense in the registration statute and the definition of sex offense in the criminal code were identical.  Over time both definitions have been amended.  Some amendments in the registration statute refer to gross misdemeanors and will never be covered in the criminal code; however, some of the changes refer to felonies.

Summary of Bill:  The definitions of sex offense in the criminal code and registration statute are restored to be equivalent with regard to felonies.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  July 1, 2001.

Testimony For:  This change fulfills the intent of the registration laws.  The population that it will most affect are those coming into Washington on transferred supervision with out‑of‑state convictions who will now be required to register.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Suzanne Brown, Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (pro); Tom McBride, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (pro).