BILL REQ. #:  H-5080.1 

Read first time 02/04/08.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     AN ACT Relating to requiring public notification for persons who have admitted to committing sex offenses under oath; adding a new section to chapter 4.24 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds and declares that not all persons who commit sex offenses are prosecuted and convicted for their crimes and that these people present the same danger to the public as offenders who are caught and tried for their crimes. The legislature further finds and declares that civil requirements, such as sex offender registration and public notification, have been an efficient way in which to alert the public to dangerous persons in their communities. The legislature therefore intends to increase public safety by enacting civil public notification requirements for certain persons who have admitted under oath to committing sex offenses, but who have not been convicted of a sex offense.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 4.24 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) If a law enforcement agency becomes aware that a person has admitted, under oath, to committing a sex offense, the law enforcement agency must notify the public of this information in the same manner in which the law enforcement agency notifies the public about a level II sex offender under RCW 4.24.550.
     (2) This section does not apply to persons who are already registered sex offenders under RCW 9A.44.130.
     (3) A law enforcement agency and its employees are immune from civil liability for damages arising from acts or omissions regarding the implementation of this section, unless such acts or omissions constitute gross negligence.
     (4) For purposes of this section, "sex offense" has the same meaning as in RCW 9A.44.130.