BILL REQ. #: H-4756.1

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SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 3238
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State of Washington

59th Legislature

2006 Regular Session

By House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives Simpson, Lantz, Wallace, Morrell, Kilmer, Green, Springer, Dunshee, P. Sullivan, Quall, B. Sullivan, Grant, Appleton, Williams, Darneille, O'Brien, Haler, Clibborn, Hunt, Lovick, Hasegawa, McDermott, Rodne, Moeller, Kessler, Strow, Fromhold, Sells and Ericks)

READ FIRST TIME 1/31/06.

AN ACT Relating to prohibiting the distribution of false sex offender notifications; adding a new section to chapter 9A.84 RCW; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 (1) The legislature finds that violent sex predators present a very real threat to our community. Sex offender community notification bulletins issued by law enforcement are a useful tool to increase public safety by allowing communities to know where dangerous sex offenders are living. However, the distribution of false sex offender community notification bulletins can unduly alarm the public, especially given the legitimate fear the public feels regarding the presence of dangerous sex offenders in our communities.
(2) It is therefore the intent of the legislature to protect our communities both from violent sex offenders and from persons who frighten our communities by distributing false sex offender community notification bulletins.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 9A.84 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A person is guilty of distributing a false sex offender community notification bulletin if, with the intent to alarm, harass, or intimidate any other person, he or she distributes information designed to resemble a sex offender community notification bulletin knowing that it is not a sex offender community notification bulletin.
     (2) Distributing a false sex offender community notification bulletin is a class C felony.
     (3) For purposes of this section, "sex offender community notification bulletin" means a bulletin created by law enforcement for the purpose of notifying the public about a registered sex offender under RCW 4.24.550.

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