Title: An act relating to domestic violence.

Brief Description: Establishing the domestic violence hope card study committee.

Sponsors: Senators Esser, Hargrove, Brandland, Johnson and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Judiciary: 2/1/06, 2/2/06 [DPS].

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 Substitute 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.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The substitute bill directs the domestic violence hope card study committee to collaborate with the Washington State Gender and Justice Commission. Several members are added to the hope card study committee in the substitute bill. The new members are a representative of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, an advocate for domestic violence victims on tribal lands, a representative of the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy, and a representative from the Washington Association of County Clerks. The committee is directed to review confidentiality, privacy and safety concerns that may arise in the implementation of a hope card program in Washington state. Staff support will be provided by the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy in addition to support being provided by Senate Committee Services and the Office of Program Research

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 CON: No one