HB 2444

HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2444

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 requiring registered sex and kidnapping offenders to submit information regarding any e-mail addresses and any web sites they create or operate.

Brief Description: Requiring registered sex and kidnapping offenders to submit information regarding any e-mail addresses and any web sites they create or operate.

Sponsors: Representatives Pearson, McCune, Priest, Haler, Armstrong, Kristiansen, Crouse, Rodne, Bailey, Hinkle, Hailey, Kretz, Warnick, Sump, Roach, Orcutt, Newhouse, Ahern, Alexander, Skinner, Hurst, Schindler, Walsh, Smith, Campbell, Dunn, Herrera, Kelley and McDonald.

Brief History:

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness: 1/23/08 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires a registered sex or kidnapping offender to provide his or her electronic mail address and the uniform resource locator of any personal Web site he or she created or operates.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives O'Brien, Chair; Hurst, Vice Chair; Pearson, Ranking Minority Member; Ross, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Ahern, Goodman and Kirby.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

Under the Community Protection Act of 1990, a sex or kidnapping offender is required to register in the county in which he or she resides. Law enforcement agencies use the information in the registry to notify the public of a sex offender's presence in the community. A sex or kidnapping offender must provide the following information when registering:

name;
complete residential address (a homeless offender must provide a description where he or she plans to stay);
date and place of birth;
place of employment;
crime of conviction;
date and place of conviction;
aliases used;
Social Security number;
photograph; and
fingerprints.

Summary of Bill:

A registered sex or kidnapping offender must, when registering, provide his or her electronic mail address and the uniform resource locator of any personal Web site he or she created or operates.

Appropriation: An unspecified amount is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the General Fund to the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development..

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) Many young people use the Internet for social networking. Sex and kidnapping offenders often use the Internet to groom young people. This is a common sense way to increase public safety.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Pearson, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.