HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2170


This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Title: An act relating to protecting employees, contract staff, and volunteers of a law enforcement agency.

Brief Description: Protecting employees, contract staff, and volunteers of a law enforcement agency.

Sponsors: Representatives Ross, O'Brien, Pearson, Newhouse, Curtis, Rodne, McCune, Kelley, Eddy, Goodman, VanDeWege, Hurst, Simpson and Moeller.

Brief History:

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness: 2/21/07 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Expands the class of people covered under the stalking statute, at the felony level, to include employees and volunteers of a law enforcement agency.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Hurst, Vice Chair; Pearson, Ranking Minority Member; Ross, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Ahern, Goodman and Lovick.

Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

A person is guilty of stalking if he or she, without lawful authority and under circumstances not amounting to a felony attempt of another crime:

Stalking is generally a gross misdemeanor. However, the crime is a seriousness level V, class C felony if:


Summary of Bill:

The group of victims covered under the stalking statute (punishable at the felony level) is expanded to include a stalker's victim who is or was an employee, contract staff person, or volunteer of a law enforcement agency.


Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill follows the same bill that this committee passed several days ago to cover employees of a criminal justice agency. This bill will lay the same protective measures around employees and volunteers who work in dangerous roles within a law enforcement agency.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Ross, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.