| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Judiciary Committee | |
HB 3083
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.
Title: An act relating to establishing standards for victim impact panels.
Brief Description: Establishing standards for victim impact panels.
Sponsors: Representatives Campbell and Williams.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/4/08
Staff: Sarah Silbovitz (786-7119) and Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
A person convicted of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (DUI) is
subject to monetary penalties, mandatory jail time and possibly a driver's license suspension. A
person charged with a DUI may petition for a deferred prosecution on the grounds that the
alcoholism or drug addiction caused the criminal violation. In addition to these penalties, a
person convicted of a DUI, or granted a deferred prosecution on a DUI charge, may be ordered to
attend a DUI victim impact panel. Numerous counties currently order persons convicted of a
DUI to attend a victim impact panel.
Some counties also have victim impact panels for persons convicted of domestic violence.
Summary of Bill:
The primary goals of a victim impact panel are to help offenders understand the impact their
crimes had on victims, their family and friends, and community; and to prevent an offender from
offending again. To ensure that these goals are satisfied, each superior, district, or municipal
court administration or its equivalent must maintain a registry of qualified victim impact panels.
When a court requires a person to attend a victim impact panel, that panel must be listed in the
court's registry. To be qualified for the registry, the victim impact panel must meet a set of
standards.
First, the victim impact panel must be offered by a nonprofit corporation, agency, entity, or other
organization within the county that is not primarily associated with providing alcohol or drug
abuse treatment or domestic violence treatment. If no such entity exists in a county, a victim
impact panel may be offered by a corporation, agency, entity, or other organization associated
primarily with alcohol or drug abuse treatment or domestic violence treatment, provided that the
fees charged for the panel are donated to a victims' service program, minus the actual cost of
facilitating the panel.
Second, the victim impact panel must charge a fee for all persons attending. Third, the victim
impact panel must have a clearly stated mission. Fourth, the victim impact panel must maintain
an attendance record for at least five years. Fifth, the victim impact panel must have a designated
facilitator who is responsible for maintaining these standards and who is responsible for
communicating with the courts the attendance or nonattendance of offenders. Sixth, the victim
impact panel must not admit any person under the influence of drugs or alcohol and may institute
additional admission requirements. Lastly, the victim impact panel must have policies and
procedures to recruit, screen and train panelists.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.