BILL REQ. #:  H-0442.1 

Prefiled 01/07/09. Read first time 01/12/09.   Referred to Committee on Human Services.

     AN ACT Relating to allowing crime victims to submit input to the department of corrections regarding an offender's placement in work release; adding a new section to chapter 72.09 RCW; and providing an effective date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 72.09 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) When a victim of a crime or the victim's next of kin requests notice under RCW 72.09.712 regarding a specific inmate, the department shall advise the requester in writing of the possibility that part of the sentence may be served by the inmate in a work release facility and instruct the requester on how to submit input to the department regarding the inmate's work release placement.
     (2) When the department notifies a victim or the victim's next of kin under RCW 72.09.712 of an offender's placement in work release, the department shall also provide instruction on how to submit input regarding the offender's work release placement.
     (3) The department shall consider any input received from a victim or the victim's next of kin under subsection (1) or (2) of this section if the input is received at least seven days prior to the offender's placement in work release. The department may consider any input from a victim or the victim's next of kin under subsection (1) or (2) of this section if the input is received less than seven days prior to the offender's placement in work release. The department may alter its placement decision based on any input considered under this subsection.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   Section 1 of this act takes effect August 1, 2009.