READ FIRST TIME 03/02/04.   

     AN ACT Relating to sentence enhancement for sex crimes against minors; amending RCW 9.94A.670, 9.92.151, and 9.94A.728; reenacting RCW 9.94A.515 and 9.94A.712; creating new sections; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that sex offenses against children are among the most heinous of crimes and that the legislature has a paramount duty to protect children from victimization by sex offenders. Sentencing policy in Washington state should ensure that punishment of sex offenders is pursued to the extent that such punishment does not jeopardize the safety of children or hinder the successful prosecution of sex offenses against children.
     The legislature finds that offenders with the most serious sex offenses against children including, but not limited to, rape in the first and second degree, rape of a child in the first and second degree, child molestation in the first degree, indecent liberties with forcible compulsion, and kidnapping in the first or second degree with a sexual motivation should be subject to life sentences. The legislature finds that since September of 2001, these and other most serious sex offenses have been subject to life sentences under a determinate-plus sentencing structure. Those offenders who are more likely than not to reoffend are kept in prison and those who present a low risk to reoffend are released under supervision for the remainder of their life and may be reincarcerated for serious violations that do not constitute a new sex offense. The legislature further finds that persons subject to determinate-plus sentencing who receive a special sex offender sentencing alternative sentence that is subsequently revoked are subject to life sentences as if they had not received a sentencing alternative. The legislature also finds that these offenders' failure in treatment is likely to make it harder for them to receive a release from prison to lifetime community custody. The legislature intends to reiterate its commitment to life sentences for these offenders by reenacting the law on seriousness levels of offenses and determinate-plus sentencing that sets the minimum sentence levels for these offenders.
     (2) The legislature also finds that the special sex offender sentencing alternative was enacted in 1984 to protect victims of sexual assault. A 1991 evaluation of the effectiveness of the sentencing alternative concluded that it accurately selected sex offenders who, with supervision and treatment, reoffend at lower rates and that the use of the sentencing alternative does not increase risk to the community. Today, strong support for the special sex offender sentencing alternative continues among advocates for children who are victims of sexual assault and prosecutors who prosecute sex offenses against children.
     (3) The legislature further finds that several weaknesses in the structure and administration of the special sex offender sentencing alternative have been identified and should be addressed. In addition, a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the special sex offender sentencing alternative is needed to ensure that efforts to reform the sentencing alternative do not result in jeopardizing the safety of children or hindering the successful prosecution of sex offenses against children.
     (4) The legislature intends to protect children from victimization by sex offenders by taking immediate action to make changes in the special sex offender sentencing alternative to address perceived weaknesses in the program, and thoroughly evaluating its effectiveness to determine whether additional changes are needed to further increase the protection of children from victimization by sex offenders.

Sec. 2   RCW 9.94A.515 and 2003 c 335 s 5, 2003 c 283 s 33, 2003 c 267 s 3, 2003 c 250 s 14, 2003 c 119 s 8, 2003 c 53 s 56, and 2003 c 52 s 4 are each reenacted to read as follows:

Sec. 3   RCW 9.94A.712 and 2001 2nd sp.s. c 12 s 303 are each reenacted to read as follows:
     (1) An offender who is not a persistent offender shall be sentenced under this section if the offender:
     (a) Is convicted of:
     (i) Rape in the first degree, rape in the second degree, rape of a child in the first degree, child molestation in the first degree, rape of a child in the second degree, or indecent liberties by forcible compulsion;
     (ii) Any of the following offenses with a finding of sexual motivation: Murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, homicide by abuse, kidnapping in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, assault of a child in the first degree, or burglary in the first degree; or
     (iii) An attempt to commit any crime listed in this subsection (1)(a);
committed on or after September 1, 2001; or
     (b) Has a prior conviction for an offense listed in RCW 9.94A.030(32)(b), and is convicted of any sex offense which was committed after September 1, 2001.
     For purposes of this subsection (1)(b), failure to register is not a sex offense.
     (2) An offender convicted of rape of a child in the first or second degree or child molestation in the first degree who was seventeen years of age or younger at the time of the offense shall not be sentenced under this section.
     (3) Upon a finding that the offender is subject to sentencing under this section, the court shall impose a sentence to a maximum term consisting of the statutory maximum sentence for the offense and a minimum term either within the standard sentence range for the offense, or outside the standard sentence range pursuant to RCW 9.94A.535, if the offender is otherwise eligible for such a sentence.
     (4) A person sentenced under subsection (3) of this section shall serve the sentence in a facility or institution operated, or utilized under contract, by the state.
     (5) When a court sentences a person to the custody of the department under this section, the court shall, in addition to the other terms of the sentence, sentence the offender to community custody under the supervision of the department and the authority of the board for any period of time the person is released from total confinement before the expiration of the maximum sentence.
     (6)(a) Unless a condition is waived by the court, the conditions of community custody shall include those provided for in RCW 9.94A.700(4). The conditions may also include those provided for in RCW 9.94A.700(5). The court may also order the offender to participate in rehabilitative programs or otherwise perform affirmative conduct reasonably related to the circumstances of the offense, the offender's risk of reoffending, or the safety of the community, and the department and the board shall enforce such conditions pursuant to RCW 9.94A.713, 9.95.425, and 9.95.430.
     (b) As part of any sentence under this section, the court shall also require the offender to comply with any conditions imposed by the board under RCW 9.94A.713 and 9.95.420 through 9.95.435.

Sec. 4   RCW 9.94A.670 and 2002 c 175 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this subsection apply to this section only.
     (a) "Sex offender treatment provider" or "treatment provider" means a certified sex offender treatment provider as defined in RCW 18.155.020.
     (b) "Substantial bodily harm" means bodily injury that involves a temporary but substantial disfigurement, or that causes a temporary but substantial loss or impairment of the function of any body part or organ, or that causes a fracture of any body part or organ.
     (c) "Victim" means any person who has sustained emotional, psychological, physical, or financial injury to person or property as a result of the crime charged. "Victim" also means a parent or guardian of a victim who is a minor child unless the parent or guardian is the perpetrator of the offense.
     (2) An offender is eligible for the special sex offender sentencing alternative if:
     (a) The offender has been convicted of a sex offense other than a violation of RCW 9A.44.050 or a sex offense that is also a serious violent offense;
     (b) The offender has no prior convictions for a sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030 or any other felony sex offenses in this or any other state; ((and))
     (c) The offender has no prior adult convictions for a violent offense that was committed within five years of the date the current offense was committed;
     (d) The offense did not result in substantial bodily harm to the victim;
     (e) The offender had an established relationship with, or connection to, the victim such that the sole connection with the victim was not the commission of the crime; and
     (f) The offender's standard sentence range for the offense includes the possibility of confinement for less than eleven years.
     (3) If the court finds the offender is eligible for this alternative, the court, on its own motion or the motion of the state or the offender, may order an examination to determine whether the offender is amenable to treatment.
     (a) The report of the examination shall include at a minimum the following:
     (i) The offender's version of the facts and the official version of the facts;
     (ii) The offender's offense history;
     (iii) An assessment of problems in addition to alleged deviant behaviors;
     (iv) The offender's social and employment situation; and
     (v) Other evaluation measures used.
     The report shall set forth the sources of the examiner's information.
     (b) The examiner shall assess and report regarding the offender's amenability to treatment and relative risk to the community. A proposed treatment plan shall be provided and shall include, at a minimum:
     (i) Frequency and type of contact between offender and therapist;
     (ii) Specific issues to be addressed in the treatment and description of planned treatment modalities;
     (iii) Monitoring plans, including any requirements regarding living conditions, lifestyle requirements, and monitoring by family members and others;
     (iv) Anticipated length of treatment; and
     (v) Recommended crime-related prohibitions and affirmative conditions, which must include, to the extent known, an identification of specific activities or behaviors that are precursors to the offender's offense cycle, including, but not limited to, activities or behaviors such as viewing or listening to pornography or use of alcohol or controlled substances.
     (c) The court on its own motion may order, or on a motion by the state shall order, a second examination regarding the offender's amenability to treatment. The examiner shall be selected by the party making the motion. The offender shall pay the cost of any second examination ordered unless the court finds the defendant to be indigent in which case the state shall pay the cost.
     (4) After receipt of the reports, the court shall consider whether the offender and the community will benefit from use of this alternative, consider whether the alternative is too lenient in light of the extent and circumstances of the offense, consider whether the offender has victims in addition to the victim of the offense, consider whether the offender is amenable to treatment, consider the risk the offender would present to the community, to the victim, or to persons of similar age and circumstances as the victim, and consider the victim's opinion whether the offender should receive a treatment disposition under this section. The court shall give great weight to the victim's opinion whether the offender should receive a treatment disposition under this section. If the sentence imposed is contrary to the victim's opinion, the court shall enter written findings stating its reasons for imposing the treatment disposition. The fact that the offender admits to his or her offense does not, by itself, constitute amenability to treatment. If the court determines that this alternative is appropriate, the court shall then impose a sentence or, pursuant to RCW 9.94A.712, a minimum term of sentence, within the standard sentence range. If the sentence imposed is less than eleven years of confinement, the court may suspend the execution of the sentence and impose the following conditions of suspension:
     (a) The court shall order the offender to serve a term of confinement of up to twelve months or the maximum term within the standard range, whichever is less. The court may order the offender to serve a term of confinement greater than twelve months or the maximum term within the standard range based on the presence of an aggravating circumstance listed in RCW 9.94A.535(2). In no case shall the term of confinement exceed the statutory maximum sentence for the offense. The court may order the offender to serve all or part of his or her term of confinement in partial confinement. An offender sentenced to a term of confinement under this subsection is not eligible for earned release under RCW 9.92.151 or 9.94A.728.
     (b) The court shall place the offender on community custody for the length of the suspended sentence, the length of the maximum term imposed pursuant to RCW 9.94A.712, or three years, whichever is greater, and require the offender to comply with any conditions imposed by the department under RCW 9.94A.720.
     (((b))) (c) The court shall order treatment for any period up to ((three)) five years in duration. The court, in its discretion, shall order outpatient sex offender treatment or inpatient sex offender treatment, if available. A community mental health center may not be used for such treatment unless it has an appropriate program designed for sex offender treatment. The offender shall not change sex offender treatment providers or treatment conditions without first notifying the prosecutor, the community corrections officer, and the court. If any party or the court objects to a proposed change, the offender shall not change providers or conditions without court approval after a hearing.
     (d) As conditions of the suspended sentence, the court shall impose specific prohibitions and affirmative conditions relating to the known precursor activities or behaviors identified in the proposed treatment plan under subsection (3)(b)(v) of this section or identified in an annual review under subsection (7)(b) of this section.
     (5) As conditions of the suspended sentence, the court may impose one or more of the following:
     (a) ((Up to six months of confinement, not to exceed the sentence range of confinement for that offense;
     (b))) Crime-related prohibitions;
     (((c))) (b) Require the offender to devote time to a specific employment or occupation;
     (((d))) (c) Require the offender to remain within prescribed geographical boundaries and notify the court or the community corrections officer prior to any change in the offender's address or employment;
     (((e))) (d) Require the offender to report as directed to the court and a community corrections officer;
     (((f))) (e) Require the offender to pay all court-ordered legal financial obligations as provided in RCW 9.94A.030;
     (((g))) (f) Require the offender to perform community restitution work; or
     (((h))) (g) Require the offender to reimburse the victim for the cost of any counseling required as a result of the offender's crime.
     (6) At the time of sentencing, the court shall set a treatment termination hearing for three months prior to the anticipated date for completion of treatment.
     (7)(a) The sex offender treatment provider shall submit quarterly reports on the offender's progress in treatment to the court and the parties. The report shall reference the treatment plan and include at a minimum the following: Dates of attendance, offender's compliance with requirements, treatment activities, the offender's relative progress in treatment, and any other material specified by the court at sentencing.
     (b) The court shall conduct a hearing on the offender's progress in treatment at least once a year. At least fourteen days prior to the hearing, notice of the hearing shall be given to the victim. The victim shall be given the opportunity to make statements to the court regarding the offender's supervision and treatment. At the hearing, the court may modify conditions of community custody including, but not limited to, crime-related prohibitions and affirmative conditions relating to activities and behaviors identified as part of, or relating to precursor activities and behaviors in, the offender's offense cycle or revoke the suspended sentence.
     (8) At least fourteen days prior to the treatment termination hearing, notice of the hearing shall be given to the victim. The victim shall be given the opportunity to make statements to the court regarding the offender's supervision and treatment. Prior to the treatment termination hearing, the treatment provider and community corrections officer shall submit written reports to the court and parties regarding the offender's compliance with treatment and monitoring requirements, and recommendations regarding termination from treatment, including proposed community custody conditions. ((Either party may request, and the court may order, another evaluation regarding the advisability of termination from treatment. The offender shall pay the cost of any additional evaluation ordered unless the court finds the offender to be indigent in which case the state shall pay the cost.)) The court may order an evaluation regarding the advisability of termination from treatment by a sex offender treatment provider who may not be the same person who treated the offender under subsection (4) of this section or any person who employs, is employed by, or shares profits with the person who treated the offender under subsection (4) of this section unless the court has entered written findings that such evaluation is in the best interest of the victim and that a successful evaluation of the offender would otherwise be impractical. The offender shall pay the cost of the evaluation. At the treatment termination hearing the court may: (a) Modify conditions of community custody, and either (b) terminate treatment, or (c) extend treatment in two-year increments for up to the remaining period of community custody.
     (9)(a) If a violation of conditions other than a second violation of the prohibitions or affirmative conditions relating to precursor behaviors or activities imposed under subsection (4)(d) or (7)(b) of this section occurs during community custody, the department shall either impose sanctions as provided for in RCW 9.94A.737(2)(a) or refer the violation to the court and recommend revocation of the suspended sentence as provided for in subsections (6) and (8) of this section.
     (b) If a second violation of the prohibitions or affirmative conditions relating to precursor behaviors or activities imposed under subsection (4)(d) or (7)(b) of this section occurs during community custody, the department shall refer the violation to the court and recommend revocation of the suspended sentence as provided in subsection (10) of this section.
     (10) The court may revoke the suspended sentence at any time during the period of community custody and order execution of the sentence if: (a) The offender violates the conditions of the suspended sentence, or (b) the court finds that the offender is failing to make satisfactory progress in treatment. All confinement time served during the period of community custody shall be credited to the offender if the suspended sentence is revoked.
     (11) The offender's sex offender treatment provider may not be the same person who examined the offender under subsection (3) of this section or any person who employs, is employed by, or shares profits with the person who examined the offender under subsection (3) of this section, unless the court has entered written findings that such treatment is in the best interests of the victim and that successful treatment of the offender would otherwise be impractical. Examinations and treatment ordered pursuant to this subsection shall only be conducted by sex offender treatment providers certified by the department of health pursuant to chapter 18.155 RCW unless the court finds that:
     (a) The offender has already moved to another state or plans to move to another state for reasons other than circumventing the certification requirements; or
     (b)(i) No certified providers are available for treatment within a reasonable geographical distance of the offender's home; and
     (ii) The evaluation and treatment plan comply with this section and the rules adopted by the department of health.
     (12) If the offender is less than eighteen years of age when the charge is filed, the state shall pay for the cost of initial evaluation and treatment.

Sec. 5   RCW 9.92.151 and 1990 c 3 s 201 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the sentence of a prisoner confined in a county jail facility for a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor conviction may be reduced by earned release credits in accordance with procedures that shall be developed and promulgated by the correctional agency having jurisdiction. The earned early release time shall be for good behavior and good performance as determined by the correctional agency having jurisdiction. Any program established pursuant to this section shall allow an offender to earn early release credits for presentence incarceration. The correctional agency shall not credit the offender with earned early release credits in advance of the offender actually earning the credits. In the case of an offender convicted of a serious violent offense or a sex offense that is a class A felony committed on or after July 1, 1990, the aggregate earned early release time may not exceed fifteen percent of the sentence. In no other case may the aggregate earned early release time exceed one-third of the total sentence.
     (2) An offender serving a term of confinement imposed under RCW 9.94A.670(4)(a) is not eligible for earned release credits under this section.

Sec. 6   RCW 9.94A.728 and 2003 c 379 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     No person serving a sentence imposed pursuant to this chapter and committed to the custody of the department shall leave the confines of the correctional facility or be released prior to the expiration of the sentence except as follows:
     (1) Except as otherwise provided for in subsection (2) of this section, the term of the sentence of an offender committed to a correctional facility operated by the department may be reduced by earned release time in accordance with procedures that shall be developed and promulgated by the correctional agency having jurisdiction in which the offender is confined. The earned release time shall be for good behavior and good performance, as determined by the correctional agency having jurisdiction. The correctional agency shall not credit the offender with earned release credits in advance of the offender actually earning the credits. Any program established pursuant to this section shall allow an offender to earn early release credits for presentence incarceration. If an offender is transferred from a county jail to the department, the administrator of a county jail facility shall certify to the department the amount of time spent in custody at the facility and the amount of earned release time. An offender who has been convicted of a felony committed after July 23, 1995, that involves any applicable deadly weapon enhancements under RCW 9.94A.533 (3) or (4), or both, shall not receive any good time credits or earned release time for that portion of his or her sentence that results from any deadly weapon enhancements.
     (a) In the case of an offender convicted of a serious violent offense, or a sex offense that is a class A felony, committed on or after July 1, 1990, and before July 1, 2003, the aggregate earned release time may not exceed fifteen percent of the sentence. In the case of an offender convicted of a serious violent offense, or a sex offense that is a class A felony, committed on or after July 1, 2003, the aggregate earned release time may not exceed ten percent of the sentence.
     (b)(i) In the case of an offender who qualifies under (b)(ii) of this subsection, the aggregate earned release time may not exceed fifty percent of the sentence.
     (ii) An offender is qualified to earn up to fifty percent of aggregate earned release time under this subsection (1)(b) if he or she:
     (A) Is classified in one of the two lowest risk categories under (b)(iii) of this subsection;
     (B) Is not confined pursuant to a sentence for:
     (I) A sex offense;
     (II) A violent offense;
     (III) A crime against persons as defined in RCW 9.94A.411;
     (IV) A felony that is domestic violence as defined in RCW 10.99.020;
     (V) A violation of RCW 9A.52.025 (residential burglary);
     (VI) A violation of, or an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to violate, RCW 69.50.401 by manufacture or delivery or possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine; or
     (VII) A violation of, or an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to violate, RCW 69.50.406 (delivery of a controlled substance to a minor); and
     (C) Has no prior conviction for:
     (I) A sex offense;
     (II) A violent offense;
     (III) A crime against persons as defined in RCW 9.94A.411;
     (IV) A felony that is domestic violence as defined in RCW 10.99.020;
     (V) A violation of RCW 9A.52.025 (residential burglary);
     (VI) A violation of, or an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to violate, RCW 69.50.401 by manufacture or delivery or possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine; or
     (VII) A violation of, or an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to violate, RCW 69.50.406 (delivery of a controlled substance to a minor).
     (iii) For purposes of determining an offender's eligibility under this subsection (1)(b), the department shall perform a risk assessment of every offender committed to a correctional facility operated by the department who has no current or prior conviction for a sex offense, a violent offense, a crime against persons as defined in RCW 9.94A.411, a felony that is domestic violence as defined in RCW 10.99.020, a violation of RCW 9A.52.025 (residential burglary), a violation of, or an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to violate, RCW 69.50.401 by manufacture or delivery or possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, or a violation of, or an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to violate, RCW 69.50.406 (delivery of a controlled substance to a minor). The department must classify each assessed offender in one of four risk categories between highest and lowest risk.
     (iv) The department shall recalculate the earned release time and reschedule the expected release dates for each qualified offender under this subsection (1)(b).
     (v) This subsection (1)(b) applies retroactively to eligible offenders serving terms of total confinement in a state correctional facility as of July 1, 2003.
     (vi) This subsection (1)(b) does not apply to offenders convicted after July 1, 2010.
     (c) In no other case shall the aggregate earned release time exceed one-third of the total sentence;
     (2)(a) A person convicted of a sex offense or an offense categorized as a serious violent offense, assault in the second degree, vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, assault of a child in the second degree, any crime against persons where it is determined in accordance with RCW 9.94A.602 that the offender or an accomplice was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of commission, or any felony offense under chapter 69.50 or 69.52 RCW, committed before July 1, 2000, may become eligible, in accordance with a program developed by the department, for transfer to community custody status in lieu of earned release time pursuant to subsection (1) of this section;
     (b) A person convicted of a sex offense, a violent offense, any crime against persons under RCW 9.94A.411(2), or a felony offense under chapter 69.50 or 69.52 RCW, committed on or after July 1, 2000, may become eligible, in accordance with a program developed by the department, for transfer to community custody status in lieu of earned release time pursuant to subsection (1) of this section;
     (c) The department shall, as a part of its program for release to the community in lieu of earned release, require the offender to propose a release plan that includes an approved residence and living arrangement. All offenders with community placement or community custody terms eligible for release to community custody status in lieu of earned release shall provide an approved residence and living arrangement prior to release to the community;
     (d) The department may deny transfer to community custody status in lieu of earned release time pursuant to subsection (1) of this section if the department determines an offender's release plan, including proposed residence location and living arrangements, may violate the conditions of the sentence or conditions of supervision, place the offender at risk to violate the conditions of the sentence, place the offender at risk to reoffend, or present a risk to victim safety or community safety. The department's authority under this section is independent of any court-ordered condition of sentence or statutory provision regarding conditions for community custody or community placement;
     (e) An offender serving a term of confinement imposed under RCW 9.94A.670(4)(a) is not eligible for earned release credits under this section;
     (3) An offender may leave a correctional facility pursuant to an authorized furlough or leave of absence. In addition, offenders may leave a correctional facility when in the custody of a corrections officer or officers;
     (4)(a) The secretary may authorize an extraordinary medical placement for an offender when all of the following conditions exist:
     (i) The offender has a medical condition that is serious enough to require costly care or treatment;
     (ii) The offender poses a low risk to the community because he or she is physically incapacitated due to age or the medical condition; and
     (iii) Granting the extraordinary medical placement will result in a cost savings to the state.
     (b) An offender sentenced to death or to life imprisonment without the possibility of release or parole is not eligible for an extraordinary medical placement.
     (c) The secretary shall require electronic monitoring for all offenders in extraordinary medical placement unless the electronic monitoring equipment interferes with the function of the offender's medical equipment or results in the loss of funding for the offender's medical care. The secretary shall specify who shall provide the monitoring services and the terms under which the monitoring shall be performed.
     (d) The secretary may revoke an extraordinary medical placement under this subsection at any time;
     (5) The governor, upon recommendation from the clemency and pardons board, may grant an extraordinary release for reasons of serious health problems, senility, advanced age, extraordinary meritorious acts, or other extraordinary circumstances;
     (6) No more than the final six months of the sentence may be served in partial confinement designed to aid the offender in finding work and reestablishing himself or herself in the community;
     (7) The governor may pardon any offender;
     (8) The department may release an offender from confinement any time within ten days before a release date calculated under this section; and
     (9) An offender may leave a correctional facility prior to completion of his or her sentence if the sentence has been reduced as provided in RCW 9.94A.870.
     Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, an offender sentenced for a felony crime listed in RCW 9.94A.540 as subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of total confinement shall not be released from total confinement before the completion of the listed mandatory minimum sentence for that felony crime of conviction unless allowed under RCW 9.94A.540, however persistent offenders are not eligible for extraordinary medical placement.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   (1) The Washington state institute for public policy shall conduct a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of current sex offender sentencing policies. The institute shall analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of sex offender policies and programs, including the special sex offender sentencing alternative, the department of corrections' treatment program for offenders in prison, and the validity of the risk assessment conducted by the end of sentence review committee prior to release from prison. Using detailed information from offender files and court records, and research conducted in Washington state and other states and nations, the analysis shall examine whether changes to sentencing policies and sex offender programming can increase public safety.
     (2) Using the research results and other available data, the analysis of the special sex offender sentencing alternative shall specifically evaluate the impact of the sentencing alternative on protection of children from sexual victimization, reporting of sex offenses against children, prosecution of sex offenses against children, and child sex offense recidivism rates.
     (3) As part of its study, the institute shall also investigate the views of victims whose cases resulted in a special sex offender sentencing alternative sentence. This study shall include victims whose cases have been prosecuted recently, as well as those whose cases were prosecuted in the past. The victims shall be asked whether they considered the special sex offender sentencing alternative sentence to be a just and appropriate sanction, whether it influenced their healing process, and, if so, whether the influence was negative or positive.
     (4) The sentencing guidelines commission shall review the following issues to determine whether modifications in the special sex offender sentencing alternative will increase its effectiveness with respect to protecting children from sexual victimization, successfully prosecuting sex offenses against children, and appropriately punishing perpetrators of sex offenses against children:
     (a) Eligibility for the sentencing alternative, including whether the commission of certain types of offenses should render an offender ineligible, whether the disclosure of multiple victims in the course of evaluating an offender should render an offender ineligible, and whether the sentencing alternative should be limited to offenses within families;
     (b) Minimum terms of incarceration, including imprisonment at a state facility;
     (c) Appropriate conditions or restrictions that should be placed on offenders who receive a sentence alternative; and
     (d) Standards for revocation of a sentencing alternative suspended sentence.
     (5) The institute and the sentencing guidelines commission shall report their results and recommendations to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature no later than December 31, 2004.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   Sections 2 through 6 of this act take effect July 1, 2005.