SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6287

 

As Passed Senate, February 13, 2002

 

Title:  An act relating to the status of persons who commit criminal offenses while civilly detained or committed under chapter 71.09 RCW.

 

Brief Description:  Clarifying the status of persons who commit criminal offenses while civilly detained or committed under chapter 71.09 RCW.

 

Sponsors:  Senators Long and Hargrove.

 

Brief History: 

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  1/17/02, 2/1/02 [DP].

Passed Senate:  2/13/02, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

 

Majority Report:  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:  The current law does not define the status upon release from criminal confinement of a sexually violent predator who commits a crime and serves jail or prison time.

 

Summary of Bill:  A person civilly detained or committed under Chapter 71.09 RCW  who is incarcerated for a crime remains under the jurisdiction of the Department of Social and Health Services following either completion of his or her criminal sentence or release from confinement in a jail or prison and shall be returned to DSHS custody.  This provision does not affect the person's right to petition for review of his or her commitment status at any time.

 

This provision does not apply to persons sentenced to life without possibility of release while civilly detained or committed under Chapter 71.09 RCW.

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

 

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

 

Testimony For:  This adds certainty and clarity and offers a degree of safety.

 

Testimony Against:  None.

 

Testified:  Tim Brown, Assistant Secretary Health & Rehabilitative Services, DSHS (pro).