Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Human Services Committee

HB 1076

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: Allowing crime victims to submit input to the department of corrections regarding an offender's placement in work release.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to provide written notice to victims of certain crimes if the offender who committed the crime is placed in work release.
Requires the DOC to provide instruction to victims on how to submit input to the DOC regarding the work release placement.
Requires the DOC to consider any input received from a victim if received at least seven days before the work release placement.
Authorizes the DOC to change a work release placement decision based upon input from a victim.

Background:

The Department of Corrections (DOC) is authorized to convert up to six months of an offender's sentence to work release. Work release is a form of partial confinement in which offenders are allowed into the community for employment purposes. The DOC is required, at least 30 days prior to an offender's placement in work release, to notify the victim, or the victim's next of kin if the crime was a homicide, in writing, of the offender's crime of the work release placement if: (a) the offender was convicted of a sex offense, a violent offense, or felony harassment; and (b) the victim has made a written request for such notification.

Summary of Bill:

Upon receipt of a written request for notification of work release placement, and at the time that the DOC notifies the victim or the victim's next of kin of the offender's placement in work release within 30 days of the placement, the DOC must provide instructions on how to provide input to the DOC regarding the placement. The DOC is required to consider any input received from the victim or the victim's next of kin if received at least seven days prior to the offender's placement in work release. The DOC may consider such input if it is received less than seven days prior to placement in work release. The DOC may change its work release placement decision based upon input received from the victim or victim's next of kin.