SSB 6210

SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 6210

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 Passed Senate, February 19, 2008

Title: An act relating to the registration of sex offender e-mail addresses or other internet communication names or identities.

Brief Description: Providing for the registration of sex offender or kidnapping offender e-mail addresses or other internet communication names or identities.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senator Benton).

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6210 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Marr and McAuliffe.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senator Brandland.

Background: In 1990 the Legislature enacted the Community Protection Act, which, among other things, created a sex offender registry in Washington. A sex or kidnapping offender must register with the county sheriff in the county where that person resides. The offender must also notify the sheriff when that person enrolls in a public or private school or an institution of higher education. Law enforcement officials use the information in the registry to notify the public, within certain guidelines, of a sex offender's presence in the community.

When an offender registers, the offender must provide a variety of information including the offender's name, address (a homeless offender must provide a description of 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. A sex or kidnapping offender's picture may be taken at any time to update the individual's file.

Periodically, the police chief or sheriff must make a reasonable attempt to verify that an offender is residing at his or her registered address. At a minimum, reasonable attempt means sending a verification form by certified mail to the offender's address.

The county sheriff is required to forward registration information to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). The WSP maintains a central registry of all sex and kidnapping offenders required to register under state law.

Summary of Substitute Bill: A county sheriff may request the email address, internet communication name, and identifier of any personal web site (collectively "email address") from a sex or kidnapping offender who is required to register and forward the information to the WSP. The requirement is a separate statutory provision from the registration statute and therefore a failure to provide an email address would not constitute a failure to register.

The WSP may share information with an online organization or business (such as MySpace) to compare the information with their database. The business or organization must agree not to further distribute the information.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: OTHER: We are concerned about the ever increasing requirements for youth who are subject to registration and tracking that impacts their ability to successfully reintegrate back into society as productive citizens. The requirements would be complicated for the average person. Consider an adolescent that must rely on parents or public transportation to meet those requirements. More and more pieces are being added to what youth have to register for. Two-hundred-eighty-five youth are currently on parole for sex offenses and 248 are on community supervision.

Persons Testifying: OTHER: Cheryl Sullivan-Colglazur, Kecia Rongen, DSHS, Juvenile Rehabilitation Association.