SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 6806
As Passed Senate, February 10, 2006
Title: An act relating to domestic violence.
Brief Description: Establishing the domestic violence hope card study committee.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Esser, Hargrove, Brandland, Johnson and Rasmussen).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Judiciary: 2/1/06, 2/2/06 [DPS].
Passed Senate: 2/10/06, 45-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6806 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Kline, Chair; Weinstein, Vice Chair; Johnson, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Esser, Hargrove, McCaslin, Rasmussen and Thibaudeau.
Staff: Lidia Mori (786-7755)
Background: Domestic violence encompasses a wide range of acts committed by one partner
against another in a relationship. It may occur in a variety of relationships: married, separated,
divorced, dating, heterosexual, gay, or lesbian.
There are several types of protective orders, including restraining orders, no-contact orders, and
antiharassment protection orders. In all protective orders, the person restrained may be prohibited
from disturbing the peace of the other party, going onto the grounds or entering the home,
workplace, or school of the other party, or daycare or school of any child. In addition, a
protective order often restrains a person from knowingly coming within, or knowingly remaining
within, a specified distance from a location.
Summary of Bill: The domestic violence hope card study committee is created. It is directed
to review the practicality of requiring the statewide distribution of wallet-size cards to victims of
domestic violence that document the existence and contents of a protection order and provide
identifying information about the respondent, including a photograph. The wallet-size card will
contain contact information regarding the courts, domestic violence services, and law
enforcement.
The committee will review what information is currently statutorily required to be provided to
victims of domestic violence and whether victims are currently receiving the information. The
costs involved with the implementation of such a program will be studied, as well as how it could
best be implemented statewide. The twelve members of the domestic violence hope card study
committee are enumerated in the legislation and a committee report is required to be delivered
to the Legislature by December 31, 2006.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: Yes.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: This bill enhances protection for domestic violence victims. It is hard for them to carry a sheaf of papers with them at all times. Having a wallet-size card with all the important information on it is easy for a person to carry, and if the person has to flee in the middle of the night, it's more likely to be tucked into a pocket or purse. The hope card study committee should coordinate with the gender and justice coalition and the tribes too.
Testimony Against: None.
Who Testified: PRO: Pam Crone, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
House Amendment(s): The Domestic Violence Hope Card Study Committee is directed to review how nonstate funds could be utilized to pay for the costs involved in implementation of the hope card program. The requirement that staff support will be provided by Senate Committee Services and the Office of Program Research is deleted which leaves staff support being provided by the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy.