BILL REQ. #:  H-0364.1 

Read first time 01/17/2005.   Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to protecting communities from sex offenders through the establishment of community protection zones; amending RCW 9.94A.030, 9.94A.712, 72.09.340, and 4.24.550; reenacting and amending RCW 9A.44.130 and 9.94A.515; adding a new section to chapter 9.94A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; prescribing penalties; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 9.94A.030 and 2003 c 53 s 55 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Board" means the indeterminate sentence review board created under chapter 9.95 RCW.
     (2) "Collect," or any derivative thereof, "collect and remit," or "collect and deliver," when used with reference to the department, means that the department, either directly or through a collection agreement authorized by RCW 9.94A.760, is responsible for monitoring and enforcing the offender's sentence with regard to the legal financial obligation, receiving payment thereof from the offender, and, consistent with current law, delivering daily the entire payment to the superior court clerk without depositing it in a departmental account.
     (3) "Commission" means the sentencing guidelines commission.
     (4) "Community corrections officer" means an employee of the department who is responsible for carrying out specific duties in supervision of sentenced offenders and monitoring of sentence conditions.
     (5) "Community custody" means that portion of an offender's sentence of confinement in lieu of earned release time or imposed pursuant to RCW 9.94A.505(2)(b), 9.94A.650 through 9.94A.670, 9.94A.690, 9.94A.700 through 9.94A.715, or 9.94A.545, served in the community subject to controls placed on the offender's movement and activities by the department. For offenders placed on community custody for crimes committed on or after July 1, 2000, the department shall assess the offender's risk of reoffense and may establish and modify conditions of community custody, in addition to those imposed by the court, based upon the risk to community safety.
     (6) "Community custody range" means the minimum and maximum period of community custody included as part of a sentence under RCW 9.94A.715, as established by the commission or the legislature under RCW 9.94A.850, for crimes committed on or after July 1, 2000.
     (7) "Community placement" means that period during which the offender is subject to the conditions of community custody and/or postrelease supervision, which begins either upon completion of the term of confinement (postrelease supervision) or at such time as the offender is transferred to community custody in lieu of earned release. Community placement may consist of entirely community custody, entirely postrelease supervision, or a combination of the two.
     (8) "Community protection zone" means:
     (a) The area within eight hundred eighty feet of the facilities and grounds of a public or private school; and
     (b) The area within an expanded community protection zone established under section 2 of this act.
     (9) "Community restitution" means compulsory service, without compensation, performed for the benefit of the community by the offender.
     (((9))) (10) "Community supervision" means a period of time during which a convicted offender is subject to crime-related prohibitions and other sentence conditions imposed by a court pursuant to this chapter or RCW 16.52.200(6) or 46.61.524. Where the court finds that any offender has a chemical dependency that has contributed to his or her offense, the conditions of supervision may, subject to available resources, include treatment. For purposes of the interstate compact for out-of-state supervision of parolees and probationers, RCW 9.95.270, community supervision is the functional equivalent of probation and should be considered the same as probation by other states.
     (((10))) (11) "Confinement" means total or partial confinement.
     (((11))) (12) "Conviction" means an adjudication of guilt pursuant to Titles 10 or 13 RCW and includes a verdict of guilty, a finding of guilty, and acceptance of a plea of guilty.
     (((12))) (13) "Crime-related prohibition" means an order of a court prohibiting conduct that directly relates to the circumstances of the crime for which the offender has been convicted, and shall not be construed to mean orders directing an offender affirmatively to participate in rehabilitative programs or to otherwise perform affirmative conduct. However, affirmative acts necessary to monitor compliance with the order of a court may be required by the department.
     (((13))) (14) "Criminal history" means the list of a defendant's prior convictions and juvenile adjudications, whether in this state, in federal court, or elsewhere.
     (a) The history shall include, where known, for each conviction (i) whether the defendant has been placed on probation and the length and terms thereof; and (ii) whether the defendant has been incarcerated and the length of incarceration.
     (b) A conviction may be removed from a defendant's criminal history only if it is vacated pursuant to RCW 9.96.060, 9.94A.640, 9.95.240, or a similar out-of-state statute, or if the conviction has been vacated pursuant to a governor's pardon.
     (c) The determination of a defendant's criminal history is distinct from the determination of an offender score. A prior conviction that was not included in an offender score calculated pursuant to a former version of the sentencing reform act remains part of the defendant's criminal history.
     (((14))) (15) "Day fine" means a fine imposed by the sentencing court that equals the difference between the offender's net daily income and the reasonable obligations that the offender has for the support of the offender and any dependents.
     (((15))) (16) "Day reporting" means a program of enhanced supervision designed to monitor the offender's daily activities and compliance with sentence conditions, and in which the offender is required to report daily to a specific location designated by the department or the sentencing court.
     (((16))) (17) "Department" means the department of corrections.
     (((17))) (18) "Determinate sentence" means a sentence that states with exactitude the number of actual years, months, or days of total confinement, of partial confinement, of community supervision, the number of actual hours or days of community restitution work, or dollars or terms of a legal financial obligation. The fact that an offender through earned release can reduce the actual period of confinement shall not affect the classification of the sentence as a determinate sentence.
     (((18))) (19) "Disposable earnings" means that part of the earnings of an offender remaining after the deduction from those earnings of any amount required by law to be withheld. For the purposes of this definition, "earnings" means compensation paid or payable for personal services, whether denominated as wages, salary, commission, bonuses, or otherwise, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law making the payments exempt from garnishment, attachment, or other process to satisfy a court-ordered legal financial obligation, specifically includes periodic payments pursuant to pension or retirement programs, or insurance policies of any type, but does not include payments made under Title 50 RCW, except as provided in RCW 50.40.020 and 50.40.050, or Title 74 RCW.
     (((19))) (20) "Drug offender sentencing alternative" is a sentencing option available to persons convicted of a felony offense other than a violent offense or a sex offense and who are eligible for the option under RCW 9.94A.660.
     (((20))) (21) "Drug offense" means:
     (a) Any felony violation of chapter 69.50 RCW except possession of a controlled substance (RCW 69.50.4013) or forged prescription for a controlled substance (RCW 69.50.403);
     (b) Any offense defined as a felony under federal law that relates to the possession, manufacture, distribution, or transportation of a controlled substance; or
     (c) Any out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a drug offense under (a) of this subsection.
     (((21))) (22) "Earned release" means earned release from confinement as provided in RCW 9.94A.728.
     (((22))) (23) "Escape" means:
     (a) Sexually violent predator escape (RCW 9A.76.115), escape in the first degree (RCW 9A.76.110), escape in the second degree (RCW 9A.76.120), willful failure to return from furlough (RCW 72.66.060), willful failure to return from work release (RCW 72.65.070), or willful failure to be available for supervision by the department while in community custody (RCW 72.09.310); or
     (b) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as an escape under (a) of this subsection.
     (((23))) (24) "Felony traffic offense" means:
     (a) Vehicular homicide (RCW 46.61.520), vehicular assault (RCW 46.61.522), eluding a police officer (RCW 46.61.024), or felony hit-and-run injury-accident (RCW 46.52.020(4)); or
     (b) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a felony traffic offense under (a) of this subsection.
     (((24))) (25) "Fine" means a specific sum of money ordered by the sentencing court to be paid by the offender to the court over a specific period of time.
     (((25))) (26) "First-time offender" means any person who has no prior convictions for a felony and is eligible for the first-time offender waiver under RCW 9.94A.650.
     (((26))) (27) "Home detention" means a program of partial confinement available to offenders wherein the offender is confined in a private residence subject to electronic surveillance.
     (((27))) (28) "Legal financial obligation" means a sum of money that is ordered by a superior court of the state of Washington for legal financial obligations which may include restitution to the victim, statutorily imposed crime victims' compensation fees as assessed pursuant to RCW 7.68.035, court costs, county or interlocal drug funds, court-appointed attorneys' fees, and costs of defense, fines, and any other financial obligation that is assessed to the offender as a result of a felony conviction. Upon conviction for vehicular assault while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, RCW 46.61.522(1)(b), or vehicular homicide while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, RCW 46.61.520(1)(a), legal financial obligations may also include payment to a public agency of the expense of an emergency response to the incident resulting in the conviction, subject to RCW 38.52.430.
     (((28))) (29) "Most serious offense" means any of the following felonies or a felony attempt to commit any of the following felonies:
     (a) Any felony defined under any law as a class A felony or criminal solicitation of or criminal conspiracy to commit a class A felony;
     (b) Assault in the second degree;
     (c) Assault of a child in the second degree;
     (d) Child molestation in the second degree;
     (e) Controlled substance homicide;
     (f) Extortion in the first degree;
     (g) Incest when committed against a child under age fourteen;
     (h) Indecent liberties;
     (i) Kidnapping in the second degree;
     (j) Leading organized crime;
     (k) Manslaughter in the first degree;
     (l) Manslaughter in the second degree;
     (m) Promoting prostitution in the first degree;
     (n) Rape in the third degree;
     (o) Robbery in the second degree;
     (p) Sexual exploitation;
     (q) Vehicular assault, when caused by the operation or driving of a vehicle by a person while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or by the operation or driving of a vehicle in a reckless manner;
     (r) Vehicular homicide, when proximately caused by the driving of any vehicle by any person while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug as defined by RCW 46.61.502, or by the operation of any vehicle in a reckless manner;
     (s) Any other class B felony offense with a finding of sexual motivation;
     (t) Any other felony with a deadly weapon verdict under RCW 9.94A.602;
     (u) Any felony offense in effect at any time prior to December 2, 1993, that is comparable to a most serious offense under this subsection, or any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a most serious offense under this subsection;
     (v)(i) A prior conviction for indecent liberties under RCW 9A.88.100(1) (a), (b), and (c), chapter 260, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. as it existed until July 1, 1979, RCW 9A.44.100(1) (a), (b), and (c) as it existed from July 1, 1979, until June 11, 1986, and RCW 9A.44.100(1) (a), (b), and (d) as it existed from June 11, 1986, until July 1, 1988;
     (ii) A prior conviction for indecent liberties under RCW 9A.44.100(1)(c) as it existed from June 11, 1986, until July 1, 1988, if: (A) The crime was committed against a child under the age of fourteen; or (B) the relationship between the victim and perpetrator is included in the definition of indecent liberties under RCW 9A.44.100(1)(c) as it existed from July 1, 1988, through July 27, 1997, or RCW 9A.44.100(1) (d) or (e) as it existed from July 25, 1993, through July 27, 1997.
     (((29))) (30) "Nonviolent offense" means an offense which is not a violent offense.
     (((30))) (31) "Offender" means a person who has committed a felony established by state law and is eighteen years of age or older or is less than eighteen years of age but whose case is under superior court jurisdiction under RCW 13.04.030 or has been transferred by the appropriate juvenile court to a criminal court pursuant to RCW 13.40.110. Throughout this chapter, the terms "offender" and "defendant" are used interchangeably.
     (((31))) (32) "Partial confinement" means confinement for no more than one year in a facility or institution operated or utilized under contract by the state or any other unit of government, or, if home detention or work crew has been ordered by the court, in an approved residence, for a substantial portion of each day with the balance of the day spent in the community. Partial confinement includes work release, home detention, work crew, and a combination of work crew and home detention.
     (((32))) (33) "Persistent offender" is an offender who:
     (a)(i) Has been convicted in this state of any felony considered a most serious offense; and
     (ii) Has, before the commission of the offense under (a) of this subsection, been convicted as an offender on at least two separate occasions, whether in this state or elsewhere, of felonies that under the laws of this state would be considered most serious offenses and would be included in the offender score under RCW 9.94A.525; provided that of the two or more previous convictions, at least one conviction must have occurred before the commission of any of the other most serious offenses for which the offender was previously convicted; or
     (b)(i) Has been convicted of: (A) Rape in the first degree, rape of a child in the first degree, child molestation in the first degree, rape in the second degree, rape of a child in the second degree, or indecent liberties by forcible compulsion; (B) 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 (C) an attempt to commit any crime listed in this subsection (((32))) (33)(b)(i); and
     (ii) Has, before the commission of the offense under (b)(i) of this subsection, been convicted as an offender on at least one occasion, whether in this state or elsewhere, of an offense listed in (b)(i) of this subsection or any federal or out-of-state offense or offense under prior Washington law that is comparable to the offenses listed in (b)(i) of this subsection. A conviction for rape of a child in the first degree constitutes a conviction under (b)(i) of this subsection only when the offender was sixteen years of age or older when the offender committed the offense. A conviction for rape of a child in the second degree constitutes a conviction under (b)(i) of this subsection only when the offender was eighteen years of age or older when the offender committed the offense.
     (((33))) (34) "Postrelease supervision" is that portion of an offender's community placement that is not community custody.
     (((34))) (35) "Private school" means a school regulated under chapter 28A.195 or 28A.205 RCW.
     (36) "Public school" has the same meaning as in RCW 28A.150.010.
     (37) "Restitution" means a specific sum of money ordered by the sentencing court to be paid by the offender to the court over a specified period of time as payment of damages. The sum may include both public and private costs.
     (((35))) (38) "Risk assessment" means the application of an objective instrument supported by research and adopted by the department for the purpose of assessing an offender's risk of reoffense, taking into consideration the nature of the harm done by the offender, place and circumstances of the offender related to risk, the offender's relationship to any victim, and any information provided to the department by victims. The results of a risk assessment shall not be based on unconfirmed or unconfirmable allegations.
     (((36))) (39) "Serious traffic offense" means:
     (a) Driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (RCW 46.61.502), actual physical control while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (RCW 46.61.504), reckless driving (RCW 46.61.500), or hit-and-run an attended vehicle (RCW 46.52.020(5)); or
     (b) Any federal, out-of-state, county, or municipal conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be classified as a serious traffic offense under (a) of this subsection.
     (((37))) (40) "Serious violent offense" is a subcategory of violent offense and means:
     (a)(i) Murder in the first degree;
     (ii) Homicide by abuse;
     (iii) Murder in the second degree;
     (iv) Manslaughter in the first degree;
     (v) Assault in the first degree;
     (vi) Kidnapping in the first degree;
     (vii) Rape in the first degree;
     (viii) Assault of a child in the first degree; or
     (ix) An attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit one of these felonies; or
     (b) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a serious violent offense under (a) of this subsection.
     (((38))) (41) "Sex offense" means:
     (a)(i) A felony that is a violation of chapter 9A.44 RCW other than RCW 9A.44.130(11);
     (ii) A violation of RCW 9A.64.020;
     (iii) A felony that is a violation of chapter 9.68A RCW other than RCW 9.68A.070 or 9.68A.080; or
     (iv) A felony that is, under chapter 9A.28 RCW, a criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit such crimes;
     (b) Any conviction for a felony offense in effect at any time prior to July 1, 1976, that is comparable to a felony classified as a sex offense in (a) of this subsection;
     (c) A felony with a finding of sexual motivation under RCW 9.94A.835 or 13.40.135; or
     (d) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a sex offense under (a) of this subsection.
     (((39))) (42) "Sexual motivation" means that one of the purposes for which the defendant committed the crime was for the purpose of his or her sexual gratification.
     (((40))) (43) "Standard sentence range" means the sentencing court's discretionary range in imposing a nonappealable sentence.
     (((41))) (44) "Statutory maximum sentence" means the maximum length of time for which an offender may be confined as punishment for a crime as prescribed in chapter 9A.20 RCW, RCW 9.92.010, the statute defining the crime, or other statute defining the maximum penalty for a crime.
     (((42))) (45) "Total confinement" means confinement inside the physical boundaries of a facility or institution operated or utilized under contract by the state or any other unit of government for twenty-four hours a day, or pursuant to RCW 72.64.050 and 72.64.060.
     (((43))) (46) "Transition training" means written and verbal instructions and assistance provided by the department to the offender during the two weeks prior to the offender's successful completion of the work ethic camp program. The transition training shall include instructions in the offender's requirements and obligations during the offender's period of community custody.
     (((44))) (47) "Victim" means any person who has sustained emotional, psychological, physical, or financial injury to person or property as a direct result of the crime charged.
     (((45))) (48) "Violent offense" means:
     (a) Any of the following felonies:
     (i) Any felony defined under any law as a class A felony or an attempt to commit a class A felony;
     (ii) Criminal solicitation of or criminal conspiracy to commit a class A felony;
     (iii) Manslaughter in the first degree;
     (iv) Manslaughter in the second degree;
     (v) Indecent liberties if committed by forcible compulsion;
     (vi) Kidnapping in the second degree;
     (vii) Arson in the second degree;
     (viii) Assault in the second degree;
     (ix) Assault of a child in the second degree;
     (x) Extortion in the first degree;
     (xi) Robbery in the second degree;
     (xii) Drive-by shooting;
     (xiii) Vehicular assault, when caused by the operation or driving of a vehicle by a person while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or by the operation or driving of a vehicle in a reckless manner; and
     (xiv) Vehicular homicide, when proximately caused by the driving of any vehicle by any person while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug as defined by RCW 46.61.502, or by the operation of any vehicle in a reckless manner;
     (b) Any conviction for a felony offense in effect at any time prior to July 1, 1976, that is comparable to a felony classified as a violent offense in (a) of this subsection; and
     (c) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a violent offense under (a) or (b) of this subsection.
     (((46))) (49) "Work crew" means a program of partial confinement consisting of civic improvement tasks for the benefit of the community that complies with RCW 9.94A.725.
     (((47))) (50) "Work ethic camp" means an alternative incarceration program as provided in RCW 9.94A.690 designed to reduce recidivism and lower the cost of corrections by requiring offenders to complete a comprehensive array of real-world job and vocational experiences, character-building work ethics training, life management skills development, substance abuse rehabilitation, counseling, literacy training, and basic adult education.
     (((48))) (51) "Work release" means a program of partial confinement available to offenders who are employed or engaged as a student in a regular course of study at school.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 9.94A RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A school district may expand a community protection zone to a radius greater than eight hundred eighty feet around any public school or private school in the district. Such an expansion must be rationally related to the goal of protecting students at the school from dangerous sex offenders.
     (2) A private school may make a written request to the school district in which the private school is located to expand the community protection zone around the private school to a radius greater than eight hundred eighty feet. The school district shall inform the private school of its decision as to whether the district will begin the process of establishing a community protection zone in writing within thirty days.
     (3) Prior to expanding a community protection zone around a public school or a private school, the school district shall:
     (a) Conduct at least two public meetings to give the community the opportunity to submit written and oral testimony as to the location of the zone. In order to provide adequate notice to the public of the meetings, the district shall make a good faith effort to provide at least fourteen days' advance notice of the meetings to:
     (i) All newspapers of general circulation in the community;
     (ii) All local radio and television stations generally available to persons in the community; and
     (iii) All parents and guardians of students attending the school around which the zone will be established; and
     (b) Obtain written approval of the expansion from:
     (i) The department;
     (ii) The county sheriff for the county in which the district is located; and
     (iii) The chief law enforcement official of any municipality in which the school is located.
     (4) When a community protection zone is expanded under this section, the school district shall send notification of the zone's new dimensions to:
     (a) The department;
     (b) The county sheriff in which the zone is located; and
     (c) The chief law enforcement official of any municipality in which the zone is located.

Sec. 3   RCW 9.94A.712 and 2004 c 176 s 3 are each amended 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))) (33)(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)(i) 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.
     (ii) If the offense that caused the offender to be sentenced under this section was an offense listed in subsection (1)(a) of this section and the victim of the offense was under eighteen years of age at the time of the offense, the court shall, as a condition of community custody, prohibit the offender from residing in a community protection zone unless the department can obtain prior written approval of the residence from the school district in which the community protection zone is located, the county sheriff for the county in which the community protection zone is located, and the chief law enforcement official of any municipality in which the community protection zone is located.
     (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 72.09.340 and 1996 c 215 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In making all discretionary decisions regarding release plans for and supervision of sex offenders, the department shall set priorities and make decisions based on an assessment of public safety risks.
     (2) The department shall, no later than September 1, 1996, implement a policy governing the department's evaluation and approval of release plans for sex offenders. The policy shall include, at a minimum, a formal process by which victims, witnesses, and other interested people may provide information and comments to the department on potential safety risks to specific individuals or classes of individuals posed by a specific sex offender. The department shall make all reasonable efforts to publicize the availability of this process through currently existing mechanisms and shall seek the assistance of courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, and victims' advocacy groups in doing so. Notice of an offender's proposed residence shall be provided to all people registered to receive notice of an offender's release under RCW 9.94A.612(2), except that in no case may this notification requirement be construed to require an extension of an offender's release date.
     (3)(a) For any offender convicted of a felony sex offense against a minor victim after June 6, 1996, the department shall not approve a residence location if the proposed residence: (((a))) (i) Includes a minor victim or child of similar age or circumstance as a previous victim who the department determines may be put at substantial risk of harm by the offender's residence in the household; or (((b))) (ii) is within close proximity of the current residence of a minor victim, unless the whereabouts of the minor victim cannot be determined or unless such a restriction would impede family reunification efforts ordered by the court or directed by the department of social and health services. The department is further authorized to reject a residence location if the proposed residence is within close proximity to schools, child care centers, playgrounds, or other grounds or facilities where children of similar age or circumstance as a previous victim are present who the department determines may be put at substantial risk of harm by the sex offender's residence at that location.
     (b) In addition, for any offender prohibited from living in a community protection zone under RCW 9.94A.712(6)(a)(ii), the department may not approve a residence location if the proposed residence is in a community protection zone unless the department has obtained prior written approval of the residence from the school district in which the community protection zone is located, the county sheriff for the county in which the community protection zone is located, and the chief law enforcement official of any municipality in which the community protection zone is located.
     (4) When the department requires supervised visitation as a term or condition of a sex offender's community placement under RCW 9.94A.700(6), the department shall, prior to approving a supervisor, consider the following:
     (a) The relationships between the proposed supervisor, the offender, and the minor; (b) the proposed supervisor's acknowledgment and understanding of the offender's prior criminal conduct, general knowledge of the dynamics of child sexual abuse, and willingness and ability to protect the minor from the potential risks posed by contact with the offender; and (c) recommendations made by the department of social and health services about the best interests of the child.

Sec. 5   RCW 9A.44.130 and 2003 c 215 s 1 and 2003 c 53 s 68 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) Any adult or juvenile residing whether or not the person has a fixed residence, or who is a student, is employed, or carries on a vocation in this state who has been found to have committed or has been convicted of any sex offense or kidnapping offense, or who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity under chapter 10.77 RCW of committing any sex offense or kidnapping offense, shall register with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence, or if the person is not a resident of Washington, the county of the person's school, or place of employment or vocation, or as otherwise specified in this section. Where a person required to register under this section is in custody of the state department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, a local division of youth services, or a local jail or juvenile detention facility as a result of a sex offense or kidnapping offense, the person shall also register at the time of release from custody with an official designated by the agency that has jurisdiction over the person. In addition, any such adult or juvenile: (a) Who is admitted to a public or private institution of higher education shall, within ten days of enrolling or by the first business day after arriving at the institution, whichever is earlier, notify the sheriff for the county of the person's residence of the person's intent to attend the institution; (b) who gains employment at a public or private institution of higher education shall, within ten days of accepting employment or by the first business day after commencing work at the institution, whichever is earlier, notify the sheriff for the county of the person's residence of the person's employment by the institution; or (c) whose enrollment or employment at a public or private institution of higher education is terminated shall, within ten days of such termination, notify the sheriff for the county of the person's residence of the person's termination of enrollment or employment at the institution. Persons required to register under this section who are enrolled in a public or private institution of higher education on June 11, 1998, must notify the county sheriff immediately. The sheriff shall notify the institution's department of public safety and shall provide that department with the same information provided to a county sheriff under subsection (3) of this section.
     (2) This section may not be construed to confer any powers pursuant to RCW ((4.24.500)) 4.24.550 upon the public safety department of any public or private institution of higher education.
     (3)(a) The person shall provide the following information when registering: (i) Name; (ii) address; (iii) date and place of birth; (iv) place of employment; (v) crime for which convicted; (vi) date and place of conviction; (vii) aliases used; (viii) social security number; (ix) photograph; and (x) fingerprints.
     (b) Any person who lacks a fixed residence shall provide the following information when registering: (i) Name; (ii) date and place of birth; (iii) place of employment; (iv) crime for which convicted; (v) date and place of conviction; (vi) aliases used; (vii) social security number; (viii) photograph; (ix) fingerprints; and (x) where he or she plans to stay.
     (4)(a) Offenders shall register with the county sheriff within the following deadlines. For purposes of this section the term "conviction" refers to adult convictions and juvenile adjudications for sex offenses or kidnapping offenses:
     (i) OFFENDERS IN CUSTODY. (A) Sex offenders who committed a sex offense on, before, or after February 28, 1990, and who, on or after July 28, 1991, are in custody, as a result of that offense, of the state department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, a local division of youth services, or a local jail or juvenile detention facility, and (B) kidnapping offenders who on or after July 27, 1997, are in custody of the state department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, a local division of youth services, or a local jail or juvenile detention facility, must register at the time of release from custody with an official designated by the agency that has jurisdiction over the offender. The agency shall within three days forward the registration information to the county sheriff for the county of the offender's anticipated residence. The offender must also register within twenty-four hours from the time of release with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence, or if the person is not a resident of Washington, the county of the person's school, or place of employment or vocation. The agency that has jurisdiction over the offender shall provide notice to the offender of the duty to register. Failure to register at the time of release and within twenty-four hours of release constitutes a violation of this section and is punishable as provided in subsection (10) of this section.
     When the agency with jurisdiction intends to release an offender with a duty to register under this section, and the agency has knowledge that the offender is eligible for developmental disability services from the department of social and health services, the agency shall notify the division of developmental disabilities of the release. Notice shall occur not more than thirty days before the offender is to be released. The agency and the division shall assist the offender in meeting the initial registration requirement under this section. Failure to provide such assistance shall not constitute a defense for any violation of this section.
     (ii) OFFENDERS NOT IN CUSTODY BUT UNDER STATE OR LOCAL JURISDICTION. Sex offenders who, on July 28, 1991, are not in custody but are under the jurisdiction of the indeterminate sentence review board or under the department of correction's active supervision, as defined by the department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, or a local division of youth services, for sex offenses committed before, on, or after February 28, 1990, must register within ten days of July 28, 1991. Kidnapping offenders who, on July 27, 1997, are not in custody but are under the jurisdiction of the indeterminate sentence review board or under the department of correction's active supervision, as defined by the department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, or a local division of youth services, for kidnapping offenses committed before, on, or after July 27, 1997, must register within ten days of July 27, 1997. A change in supervision status of a sex offender who was required to register under this subsection (4)(a)(ii) as of July 28, 1991, or a kidnapping offender required to register as of July 27, 1997, shall not relieve the offender of the duty to register or to reregister following a change in residence. The obligation to register shall only cease pursuant to RCW 9A.44.140.
     (iii) OFFENDERS UNDER FEDERAL JURISDICTION. Sex offenders who, on or after July 23, 1995, and kidnapping offenders who, on or after July 27, 1997, as a result of that offense are in the custody of the United States bureau of prisons or other federal or military correctional agency for sex offenses committed before, on, or after February 28, 1990, or kidnapping offenses committed on, before, or after July 27, 1997, must register within twenty-four hours from the time of release with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence, or if the person is not a resident of Washington, the county of the person's school, or place of employment or vocation. Sex offenders who, on July 23, 1995, are not in custody but are under the jurisdiction of the United States bureau of prisons, United States courts, United States parole commission, or military parole board for sex offenses committed before, on, or after February 28, 1990, must register within ten days of July 23, 1995. Kidnapping offenders who, on July 27, 1997, are not in custody but are under the jurisdiction of the United States bureau of prisons, United States courts, United States parole commission, or military parole board for kidnapping offenses committed before, on, or after July 27, 1997, must register within ten days of July 27, 1997. A change in supervision status of a sex offender who was required to register under this subsection (4)(a)(iii) as of July 23, 1995, or a kidnapping offender required to register as of July 27, 1997 shall not relieve the offender of the duty to register or to reregister following a change in residence, or if the person is not a resident of Washington, the county of the person's school, or place of employment or vocation. The obligation to register shall only cease pursuant to RCW 9A.44.140.
     (iv) OFFENDERS WHO ARE CONVICTED BUT NOT CONFINED. Sex offenders who are convicted of a sex offense on or after July 28, 1991, for a sex offense that was committed on or after February 28, 1990, and kidnapping offenders who are convicted on or after July 27, 1997, for a kidnapping offense that was committed on or after July 27, 1997, but who are not sentenced to serve a term of confinement immediately upon sentencing, shall report to the county sheriff to register immediately upon completion of being sentenced.
     (v) OFFENDERS WHO ARE NEW RESIDENTS OR RETURNING WASHINGTON RESIDENTS. Sex offenders and kidnapping offenders who move to Washington state from another state or a foreign country that are not under the jurisdiction of the state department of corrections, the indeterminate sentence review board, or the state department of social and health services at the time of moving to Washington, must register within thirty days of establishing residence or reestablishing residence if the person is a former Washington resident. The duty to register under this subsection applies to sex offenders convicted under the laws of another state or a foreign country, federal or military statutes, or Washington state for offenses committed on or after February 28, 1990, and to kidnapping offenders convicted under the laws of another state or a foreign country, federal or military statutes, or Washington state for offenses committed on or after July 27, 1997. Sex offenders and kidnapping offenders from other states or a foreign country who, when they move to Washington, are under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections, the indeterminate sentence review board, or the department of social and health services must register within twenty-four hours of moving to Washington. The agency that has jurisdiction over the offender shall notify the offender of the registration requirements before the offender moves to Washington.
     (vi) OFFENDERS FOUND NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY. Any adult or juvenile who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity under chapter 10.77 RCW of (A) committing a sex offense on, before, or after February 28, 1990, and who, on or after July 23, 1995, is in custody, as a result of that finding, of the state department of social and health services, or (B) committing a kidnapping offense on, before, or after July 27, 1997, and who on or after July 27, 1997, is in custody, as a result of that finding, of the state department of social and health services, must register within twenty-four hours from the time of release with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence. The state department of social and health services shall provide notice to the adult or juvenile in its custody of the duty to register. Any adult or juvenile who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of committing a sex offense on, before, or after February 28, 1990, but who was released before July 23, 1995, or any adult or juvenile who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of committing a kidnapping offense but who was released before July 27, 1997, shall be required to register within twenty-four hours of receiving notice of this registration requirement. The state department of social and health services shall make reasonable attempts within available resources to notify sex offenders who were released before July 23, 1995, and kidnapping offenders who were released before July 27, 1997. Failure to register within twenty-four hours of release, or of receiving notice, constitutes a violation of this section and is punishable as provided in subsection (10) of this section.
     (vii) OFFENDERS WHO LACK A FIXED RESIDENCE. Any person who lacks a fixed residence and leaves the county in which he or she is registered and enters and remains within a new county for twenty-four hours is required to register with the county sheriff not more than twenty-four hours after entering the county and provide the information required in subsection (3)(b) of this section.
     (viii) OFFENDERS WHO LACK A FIXED RESIDENCE AND WHO ARE UNDER SUPERVISION. Offenders who lack a fixed residence and who are under the supervision of the department shall register in the county of their supervision.
     (ix) OFFENDERS WHO MOVE TO, WORK, CARRY ON A VOCATION, OR ATTEND SCHOOL IN ANOTHER STATE. Offenders required to register in Washington, who move to another state, or who work, carry on a vocation, or attend school in another state shall register a new address, fingerprints, and photograph with the new state within ten days after establishing residence, or after beginning to work, carry on a vocation, or attend school in the new state. The person must also send written notice within ten days of moving to the new state or to a foreign country to the county sheriff with whom the person last registered in Washington state. The county sheriff shall promptly forward this information to the Washington state patrol.
     (b) Failure to register within the time required under this section constitutes a per se violation of this section and is punishable as provided in subsection (10) of this section. The county sheriff shall not be required to determine whether the person is living within the county.
     (c) An arrest on charges of failure to register, service of an information, or a complaint for a violation of this section, or arraignment on charges for a violation of this section, constitutes actual notice of the duty to register. Any person charged with the crime of failure to register under this section who asserts as a defense the lack of notice of the duty to register shall register immediately following actual notice of the duty through arrest, service, or arraignment. Failure to register as required under this subsection (4)(c) constitutes grounds for filing another charge of failing to register. Registering following arrest, service, or arraignment on charges shall not relieve the offender from criminal liability for failure to register prior to the filing of the original charge.
     (d) The deadlines for the duty to register under this section do not relieve any sex offender of the duty to register under this section as it existed prior to July 28, 1991.
     (5)(a) If any person required to register pursuant to this section changes his or her residence address within the same county, the person must send written notice of the change of address to the county sheriff within seventy-two hours of moving. If any person required to register pursuant to this section moves to a new county, the person must send written notice of the change of address at least fourteen days before moving to the county sheriff in the new county of residence and must register with that county sheriff within twenty-four hours of moving. The person must also send written notice within ten days of the change of address in the new county to the county sheriff with whom the person last registered. The county sheriff with whom the person last registered shall promptly forward the information concerning the change of address to the county sheriff for the county of the person's new residence. Upon receipt of notice of change of address to a new state, the county sheriff shall promptly forward the information regarding the change of address to the agency designated by the new state as the state's offender registration agency.
     (b) It is an affirmative defense to a charge that the person failed to send a notice at least fourteen days in advance of moving as required under (a) of this subsection that the person did not know the location of his or her new residence at least fourteen days before moving. The defendant must establish the defense by a preponderance of the evidence and, to prevail on the defense, must also prove by a preponderance that the defendant sent the required notice within twenty-four hours of determining the new address.
     (6)(a) Any person required to register under this section who lacks a fixed residence shall provide written notice to the sheriff of the county where he or she last registered within forty-eight hours excluding weekends and holidays after ceasing to have a fixed residence. The notice shall include the information required by subsection (3)(b) of this section, except the photograph and fingerprints. The county sheriff may, for reasonable cause, require the offender to provide a photograph and fingerprints. The sheriff shall forward this information to the sheriff of the county in which the person intends to reside, if the person intends to reside in another county.
     (b) A person who lacks a fixed residence must report weekly, in person, to the sheriff of the county where he or she is registered. The weekly report shall be on a day specified by the county sheriff's office, and shall occur during normal business hours. The county sheriff's office may require the person to list the locations where the person has stayed during the last seven days. The lack of a fixed residence is a factor that may be considered in determining an offender's risk level and shall make the offender subject to disclosure of information to the public at large pursuant to RCW 4.24.550.
     (c) If any person required to register pursuant to this section does not have a fixed residence, it is an affirmative defense to the charge of failure to register, that he or she provided written notice to the sheriff of the county where he or she last registered within forty-eight hours excluding weekends and holidays after ceasing to have a fixed residence and has subsequently complied with the requirements of subsections (4)(a)(vii) or (viii) and (6) of this section. To prevail, the person must prove the defense by a preponderance of the evidence.
     (7) A sex offender subject to registration requirements under this section who applies to change his or her name under RCW 4.24.130 or any other law shall submit a copy of the application to the county sheriff of the county of the person's residence and to the state patrol not fewer than five days before the entry of an order granting the name change. No sex offender under the requirement to register under this section at the time of application shall be granted an order changing his or her name if the court finds that doing so will interfere with legitimate law enforcement interests, except that no order shall be denied when the name change is requested for religious or legitimate cultural reasons or in recognition of marriage or dissolution of marriage. A sex offender under the requirement to register under this section who receives an order changing his or her name shall submit a copy of the order to the county sheriff of the county of the person's residence and to the state patrol within five days of the entry of the order.
     (8) The county sheriff shall obtain a photograph of the individual and shall obtain a copy of the individual's fingerprints.
     (9) For the purpose of RCW 9A.44.130, 10.01.200, 43.43.540, 70.48.470, and 72.09.330:
     (a) "Sex offense" means:
     (i) Any offense defined as a sex offense by RCW 9.94A.030;
     (ii) Any violation under RCW 9A.44.096 (sexual misconduct with a minor in the second degree);
     (iii) Any violation under RCW 9.68A.090 (communication with a minor for immoral purposes);
     (iv) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be classified as a sex offense under this subsection; and
     (v) Any gross misdemeanor that is, under chapter 9A.28 RCW, a criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit an offense that is classified as a sex offense under RCW 9.94A.030 or this subsection.
     (b) "Kidnapping offense" means: (i) The crimes of kidnapping in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, and unlawful imprisonment, as defined in chapter 9A.40 RCW, where the victim is a minor and the offender is not the minor's parent; (ii) any offense that is, under chapter 9A.28 RCW, a criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit an offense that is classified as a kidnapping offense under this subsection (9)(b); and (iii) any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be classified as a kidnapping offense under this subsection (9)(b).
     (c) "Employed" or "carries on a vocation" means employment that is full-time or part-time for a period of time exceeding fourteen days, or for an aggregate period of time exceeding thirty days during any calendar year. A person is employed or carries on a vocation whether the person's employment is financially compensated, volunteered, or for the purpose of government or educational benefit.
     (d) "Student" means a person who is enrolled, on a full-time or part-time basis, in any public or private educational institution. An educational institution includes any secondary school, trade or professional institution, or institution of higher education.
     (10)(a)(i) A person ((who)) is guilty of failure to register as a sex offender in the first degree if:
     (A) He or she knowingly fails to register with the county sheriff or notify the county sheriff, or ((who)) changes his or her name without notifying the county sheriff and the state patrol, as required by this section ((is guilty of a class C felony if the crime for which the individual was convicted was a felony sex offense as defined in subsection (9)(a) of this section or a federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony sex offense as defined in subsection (9)(a) of this section));
     (B) The crime for which the person was convicted was a crime listed in RCW 9.94A.712(1)(a);
     (C) The victim of the person's crime was under the age of eighteen at the time the crime was committed; and
     (D) The person resides in a community protection zone as defined in RCW 9.94A.030.
     (ii) Failure to register as a sex offender in the first degree is a class C felony.
     (b) ((If)) (i) A person is guilty of failure to register as a sex offender in the second degree if, under circumstances not constituting failure to register as a sex offender in the first degree:
     (A) He or she knowingly fails to register with the county sheriff, or changes his or her name without notifying the county sheriff and the state patrol, as required by this section; and
     (B) The crime for which the person was convicted was a felony sex offense as defined in subsection (9)(a) of this section or a federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony sex offense as defined in subsection (9)(a) of this section.
     (ii) Failure to register as a sex offender in the second degree is a class C felony.
     (c)(i) A person is guilty of failure to register as a sex offender in the third degree if, under circumstances not constituting failure to register in the first and second degrees:
     (A) He or she knowingly fails to register with the county sheriff or notify the county sheriff, or changes his or her name without notifying the county sheriff and the state patrol, as required by this section; and
     (B) The crime for which the individual was convicted was other than a felony or a federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be other than a felony((, violation of this section)).
     (ii) Failure to register as a sex offender in the third degree is a gross misdemeanor.
     (11)(a) A person who knowingly fails to register or who moves within the state without notifying the county sheriff as required by this section is guilty of a class C felony if the crime for which the individual was convicted was a felony kidnapping offense as defined in subsection (9)(b) of this section or a federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony kidnapping offense as defined in subsection (9)(b) of this section.
     (b) If the crime for which the individual was convicted was other than a felony or a federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be other than a felony, violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.

Sec. 6   RCW 9.94A.515 and 2004 c 176 s 2 and 2004 c 94 s 3 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

Sec. 7   RCW 4.24.550 and 2003 c 217 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In addition to the disclosure under subsection (5) of this section, public agencies are authorized to release information to the public regarding sex offenders and kidnapping offenders when the agency determines that disclosure of the information is relevant and necessary to protect the public and counteract the danger created by the particular offender. This authorization applies to information regarding: (a) Any person adjudicated or convicted of a sex offense as defined in RCW 9A.44.130 or a kidnapping offense as defined by RCW 9A.44.130; (b) any person under the jurisdiction of the indeterminate sentence review board as the result of a sex offense or kidnapping offense; (c) any person committed as a sexually violent predator under chapter 71.09 RCW or as a sexual psychopath under chapter 71.06 RCW; (d) any person found not guilty of a sex offense or kidnapping offense by reason of insanity under chapter 10.77 RCW; and (e) any person found incompetent to stand trial for a sex offense or kidnapping offense and subsequently committed under chapter 71.05 or 71.34 RCW.
     (2) Except for the information specifically required under subsection (5) of this section, the extent of the public disclosure of relevant and necessary information shall be rationally related to: (a) The level of risk posed by the offender to the community; (b) the locations where the offender resides, expects to reside, or is regularly found; and (c) the needs of the affected community members for information to enhance their individual and collective safety.
     (3) Except for the information specifically required under subsection (5) of this section, local law enforcement agencies shall consider the following guidelines in determining the extent of a public disclosure made under this section: (a) For offenders classified as risk level I, the agency shall share information with other appropriate law enforcement agencies and may disclose, upon request, relevant, necessary, and accurate information to any victim or witness to the offense and to any individual community member who lives near the residence where the offender resides, expects to reside, or is regularly found; (b) for offenders classified as risk level II, the agency may also disclose relevant, necessary, and accurate information to public and private schools, child day care centers, family day care providers, businesses and organizations that serve primarily children, women, or vulnerable adults, and neighbors and community groups near the residence where the offender resides, expects to reside, or is regularly found; (c) for offenders classified as risk level III, the agency may also disclose relevant, necessary, and accurate information to the public at large; and (d) because more localized notification is not feasible and homeless and transient offenders may present unique risks to the community, the agency may also disclose relevant, necessary, and accurate information to the public at large for offenders registered as homeless or transient.
     (4) The county sheriff with whom an offender classified as risk level III is registered shall cause to be published by legal notice, advertising, or news release a sex offender community notification that conforms to the guidelines established under RCW 4.24.5501 in at least one legal newspaper with general circulation in the area of the sex offender's registered address or location. In addition, if the offender classified as risk level III was convicted of a crime listed in RCW 9.94A.712(1)(a) against a victim under the age of eighteen and resides, or plans to reside, in a community protection zone as defined in RCW 9.94A.030, the county sheriff shall provide the sex offender community notification to each public and private school within the zone. The county sheriff shall also cause to be published consistent with this subsection a current list of level III registered sex offenders, twice yearly. Unless the information is posted on the web site described in subsection (5) of this section, this list shall be maintained by the county sheriff on a publicly accessible web site and shall be updated at least once per month.
     (5)(a) When funded by federal grants or other sources, the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs shall create and maintain a statewide registered sex offender web site, which shall be available to the public. The web site shall post all level III and level II registered sex offenders in the state of Washington.
     (i) For level III offenders, the web site shall contain, but is not limited to, the registered sex offender's name, relevant criminal convictions, address by hundred block, physical description, and photograph. The web site shall provide mapping capabilities that display the sex offender's address by hundred block on a map. The web site shall allow citizens to search for registered sex offenders within the state of Washington by county, city, zip code, last name, type of conviction, and address by hundred block.
     (ii) For level II offenders, the web site shall contain, but is not limited to, the same information and functionality as described in (a)(i) of this subsection, provided that it is permissible under state and federal law. If it is not permissible, the web site shall be limited to the information and functionality that is permissible under state and federal law.
     (b) Until the implementation of (a) of this subsection, the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs shall create a web site available to the public that provides electronic links to county-operated web sites that offer sex offender registration information.
     (6) Local law enforcement agencies that disseminate information pursuant to this section shall: (a) Review available risk level classifications made by the department of corrections, the department of social and health services, and the indeterminate sentence review board; (b) assign risk level classifications to all offenders about whom information will be disseminated; and (c) make a good faith effort to notify the public and residents at least fourteen days before the offender is released from confinement or, where an offender moves from another jurisdiction, as soon as possible after the agency learns of the offender's move, except that in no case may this notification provision be construed to require an extension of an offender's release date. The juvenile court shall provide local law enforcement officials with all relevant information on offenders allowed to remain in the community in a timely manner.
     (7) An appointed or elected public official, public employee, or public agency as defined in RCW 4.24.470, or units of local government and its employees, as provided in RCW 36.28A.010, are immune from civil liability for damages for any discretionary risk level classification decisions or release of relevant and necessary information, unless it is shown that the official, employee, or agency acted with gross negligence or in bad faith. The immunity in this section applies to risk level classification decisions and the release of relevant and necessary information regarding any individual for whom disclosure is authorized. The decision of a local law enforcement agency or official to classify an offender to a risk level other than the one assigned by the department of corrections, the department of social and health services, or the indeterminate sentence review board, or the release of any relevant and necessary information based on that different classification shall not, by itself, be considered gross negligence or bad faith. The immunity provided under this section applies to the release of relevant and necessary information to other public officials, public employees, or public agencies, and to the general public.
     (8) Except as may otherwise be provided by law, nothing in this section shall impose any liability upon a public official, public employee, or public agency for failing to release information authorized under this section.
     (9) Nothing in this section implies that information regarding persons designated in subsection (1) of this section is confidential except as may otherwise be provided by law.
     (10) When a local law enforcement agency or official classifies an offender differently than the offender is classified by the end of sentence review committee or the department of social and health services at the time of the offender's release from confinement, the law enforcement agency or official shall notify the end of sentence review committee or the department of social and health services and submit its reasons supporting the change in classification. Upon implementation of subsection (5)(a) of this section, notification of the change shall also be sent to the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Within two years of the effective date of this act, each school district shall conduct at least one public hearing regarding the question of whether the district should adopt a written policy on notifying parents and guardians of students attending a school when the school receives a sex offender community notification under RCW 4.24.550.
     (2) In order to provide adequate notice to the public of the meeting, the district shall make a good faith effort to provide at least fourteen days' advance notice of the meeting to:
     (a) All newspapers of general circulation in the community;
     (b) All local radio and television stations generally available to persons in the community; and
     (c) All parents and guardians of students attending schools in the district.
     (3) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to impose a duty on behalf of the school district to adopt such a policy.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   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. 10   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2005.