SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6341

As Passed Senate, February 14, 2002

Title:  An act relating to amending the judicial review of sex offender registration to comply with federal funding requirements.

Brief Description:  Amending the judicial review of sex offender registration to comply with federal funding requirements.

Sponsors:  Senators Hargrove, Long, Winsley and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  1/24/02 [DP].

Passed Senate:  2/14/02, 44-0.

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:  Tony Rugel (786‑7754)

Background:  The state currently receives approximately $10 million in Byrne grant money from the federal government.  The state is in danger of losing Byrne grant funds by granting the courts discretion to relieve an offender of the duty to register after conviction of certain offenses.

Summary of Bill:  The courts are not allowed to relieve an offender of the duty to register if the offender has been convicted of an aggravated offense or more than one sexually violent offense. The state is brought into compliance with federal funding requirements and continues to receive Byrne grant money.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  The change in the bill is needed to keep federal funding.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Steve Wells, Office of Community Development (pro).