Read first time 01/30/2006.   Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to strengthening the review process by the indeterminate sentence review board by adding two members to the board and allowing victims to provide input at board hearings involving offenders sentenced under RCW 9.94A.712; amending RCW 9.95.003 and 9.95.420; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 9.95.003 and 1997 c 350 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     The board shall consist of a ((chairman)) chair, a vice-chair, and ((two)) three other members, each of whom shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. Each member shall hold office for a term of five years, and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. The terms shall expire on April 15th of the expiration year. Vacancies in the membership of the board shall be filled by appointment by the governor with the consent of the senate. In the event of the inability of any member to act, the governor shall appoint some competent person to act in his stead during the continuance of such inability. The members shall not be removable during their respective terms except for cause determined by the superior court of Thurston county. The governor in appointing the members shall designate one of them to serve as chairman at the governor's pleasure.
     The members of the board and its officers and employees shall not engage in any other business or profession or hold any other public office without the prior approval of the executive ethics board indicating compliance with RCW 42.52.020, 42.52.030, 42.52.040 and 42.52.120; nor shall they, at the time of appointment or employment or during their incumbency, serve as the representative of any political party on an executive committee or other governing body thereof, or as an executive officer or employee of any political committee or association. The members of the board shall each severally receive salaries fixed by the governor in accordance with the provisions of RCW 43.03.040, and in addition shall receive travel expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     The board may employ, and fix, with the approval of the governor, the compensation of and prescribe the duties of a secretary and such officers, employees, and assistants as may be necessary, and provide necessary quarters, supplies, and equipment.

Sec. 2   RCW 9.95.420 and 2002 c 174 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) Except as provided in (c) of this subsection, before the expiration of the minimum term, as part of the end of sentence review process under RCW 72.09.340, 72.09.345, and where appropriate, 72.09.370, the department shall conduct, and the offender shall participate in, an examination of the offender, incorporating methodologies that are recognized by experts in the prediction of sexual dangerousness, and including a prediction of the probability that the offender will engage in sex offenses if released.
     (b) The board may contract for an additional, independent examination, subject to the standards in this section.
     (c) If at the time the sentence is imposed by the superior court the offender's minimum term has expired or will expire within one hundred twenty days of the sentencing hearing, the department shall conduct, within ninety days of the offender's arrival at a department of corrections facility, and the offender shall participate in, an examination of the offender, incorporating methodologies that are recognized by experts in the prediction of sexual dangerousness, and including a prediction of the probability that the offender will engage in sex offenses if released.
     (2) The board shall impose the conditions and instructions provided for in RCW 9.94A.720. The board shall consider the department's recommendations and may impose conditions in addition to those recommended by the department. The board may impose or modify conditions of community custody following notice to the offender.
     (3)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, no later than ninety days before expiration of the minimum term, but after the board receives the results from the end of sentence review process and the recommendations for additional or modified conditions of community custody from the department, the board shall conduct a hearing to determine whether it is more likely than not that the offender will engage in sex offenses if released on conditions to be set by the board. The board may consider an offender's failure to participate in an evaluation under subsection (1) of this section in determining whether to release the offender. The board shall order the offender released, under such affirmative and other conditions as the board determines appropriate, unless the board determines by a preponderance of the evidence that, despite such conditions, it is more likely than not that the offender will commit sex offenses if released. If the board does not order the offender released, the board shall establish a new minimum term, not to exceed an additional two years.
     (b) If at the time the offender's minimum term has expired or will expire within one hundred twenty days of the offender's arrival at a department of correction's facility, then no later than one hundred twenty days after the offender's arrival at a department of corrections facility, but after the board receives the results from the end of sentence review process and the recommendations for additional or modified conditions of community custody from the department, the board shall conduct a hearing to determine whether it is more likely than not that the offender will engage in sex offenses if released on conditions to be set by the board. The board may consider an offender's failure to participate in an evaluation under subsection (1) of this section in determining whether to release the offender. The board shall order the offender released, under such affirmative and other conditions as the board determines appropriate, unless the board determines by a preponderance of the evidence that, despite such conditions, it is more likely than not that the offender will commit sex offenses if released. If the board does not order the offender released, the board shall establish a new minimum term, not to exceed an additional two years.
     (4) In a hearing conducted under subsection (3) of this section, the board shall provide opportunities for the victims of any crimes for which the offender has been convicted to present oral, video, written, or in-person testimony to the board. The procedures for victim input shall be developed by rule. To facilitate victim involvement, county prosecutor's offices shall ensure that any victim impact statements and known contact information for victims of record are forwarded as part of the judgment and sentence.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   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 immediately.