| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee | |
SSB 5987
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.
Brief Description: Increasing penalties for gang-related offenses.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Clements, Carrell, Marr, Holmquist, Schoesler and Rasmussen; by request of Attorney General).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/22/07
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).
Background:
A variety of statutory provisions exist with respect to criminal gang activity. For example, a
person is guilty of Criminal Gang Intimidation if he or she threatens another person because he or
she refused to join a gang. Also, landlords may evict tenants under certain circumstances for
gang-related activity.
Summary of Bill:
The Office of the Attorney General must establish a workgroup to evaluate the problem of
gang-related crime in Washington. The workgroup must include one member from each of the
two largest caucuses in the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
one member from each of the two largest caucuses in the Senate, appointed by the President of
the Senate; and representatives from local law enforcement, prosecutors and municipal attorneys,
criminal defense attorneys, court administrators, prison or detention administrators and probation
officers, and experts in gang or delinquency prevention.
The workgroup must evaluate and make recommendations regarding additional legislative
measures to combat gang-related crime, the creation of a statewide gang information database,
possible reforms to the juvenile justice system for gang-related juvenile offenses, best practices
for prevention and intervention of youth gang membership, and the adoption of legislation
authorizing a civil anti-gang injunction. The Office of the Attorney General must report back to
the Legislature on its findings and recommendations on or before January 1, 2008.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.