SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5014

 

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Human Services & Corrections, February 9, 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:  Senators Costa, Long, Fraser, Carlson and Gardner.

 

Brief History: 

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

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

 

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute includes a technical amendment to correct a statutory reference.

 

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).