Brief Description: Defining civil disorder.

Sponsors: Senators Kline, Jacobsen, Shin, Weinstein and Murray.

Senate Committee on Judiciary
House Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Background: In 2002 the Legislature passed ESHB 2505 (C 340 L 02) an anti-"civil disorder training" bill making it illegal to instruct others how to commit violent public disturbances intended to hurt people. Proponents believe that this change successfully prevented hate groups from operating paramilitary training camps in Washington. But, proponents of this act believe the existing law has a loophole, in that it does not prohibit training in how to commit violent disturbances if those violent disturbances are intended to destroy property.

Summary: "Civil disorder" means any public disturbance involving acts of violence that is intended to cause an immediate danger of, or to result in, significant injury to property or the person of any other individual.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      47   0
House      93   2

Effective: June 12, 2008