BILL REQ. #:  H-3807.3 

Prefiled 01/05/10. Read first time 01/11/10.   Referred to Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness.

     AN ACT Relating to establishing a program to verify the address of registered sex offenders and kidnapping offenders; amending RCW 9A.44.130 and 9A.44.135; and adding a new section to chapter 36.28A RCW.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 9A.44.130 and 2008 c 230 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) Any adult or juvenile residing whether or not the person has a fixed residence, or who is a student, is employed, or carries on a vocation in this state who has been found to have committed or has been convicted of any sex offense or kidnapping offense, or who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity under chapter 10.77 RCW of committing any sex offense or kidnapping offense, shall register with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence, or if the person is not a resident of Washington, the county of the person's school, or place of employment or vocation, or as otherwise specified in this section. Where a person required to register under this section is in custody of the state department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, a local division of youth services, or a local jail or juvenile detention facility as a result of a sex offense or kidnapping offense, the person shall also register at the time of release from custody with an official designated by the agency that has jurisdiction over the person.
     (b) Any adult or juvenile who is required to register under (a) of this subsection:
     (i) Who is attending, or planning to attend, a public or private school regulated under Title 28A RCW or chapter 72.40 RCW shall, within ten days of enrolling or prior to arriving at the school to attend classes, whichever is earlier, notify the sheriff for the county of the person's residence of the person's intent to attend the school, and the sheriff shall promptly notify the principal of the school;
     (ii) Who is admitted to a public or private institution of higher education shall, within ten days of enrolling or by the first business day after arriving at the institution, whichever is earlier, notify the sheriff for the county of the person's residence of the person's intent to attend the institution;
     (iii) Who gains employment at a public or private institution of higher education shall, within ten days of accepting employment or by the first business day after commencing work at the institution, whichever is earlier, notify the sheriff for the county of the person's residence of the person's employment by the institution; or
     (iv) Whose enrollment or employment at a public or private institution of higher education is terminated shall, within ten days of such termination, notify the sheriff for the county of the person's residence of the person's termination of enrollment or employment at the institution.
     (c) Persons required to register under this section who are enrolled in a public or private institution of higher education on June 11, 1998, or a public or private school regulated under Title 28A RCW or chapter 72.40 RCW on September 1, 2006, must notify the county sheriff immediately.
     (d) The sheriff shall notify the school's principal or institution's department of public safety and shall provide that department with the same information provided to a county sheriff under subsection (3) of this section.
     (e)(i) A principal receiving notice under this subsection must disclose the information received from the sheriff under (b) of this subsection as follows:
     (A) If the student who is required to register as a sex offender is classified as a risk level II or III, the principal shall provide the information received to every teacher of any student required to register under (a) of this subsection and to any other personnel who, in the judgment of the principal, supervises the student or for security purposes should be aware of the student's record;
     (B) If the student who is required to register as a sex offender is classified as a risk level I, the principal shall provide the information received only to personnel who, in the judgment of the principal, for security purposes should be aware of the student's record.
     (ii) Any information received by a principal or school personnel under this subsection is confidential and may not be further disseminated except as provided in RCW 28A.225.330, other statutes or case law, and the family and educational and privacy rights act of 1994, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232g et seq.
     (2) This section may not be construed to confer any powers pursuant to RCW 4.24.550 upon the public safety department of any public or private school or institution of higher education.
     (3)(a) The person shall provide the following information when registering: (i) Name; (ii) complete residential address; (iii) date and place of birth; (iv) place of employment; (v) crime for which convicted; (vi) date and place of conviction; (vii) aliases used; (viii) social security number; (ix) photograph; and (x) fingerprints.
     (b) Any person who lacks a fixed residence shall provide the following information when registering: (i) Name; (ii) date and place of birth; (iii) place of employment; (iv) crime for which convicted; (v) date and place of conviction; (vi) aliases used; (vii) social security number; (viii) photograph; (ix) fingerprints; and (x) where he or she plans to stay.
     (4)(a) Offenders shall register with the county sheriff within the following deadlines. For purposes of this section the term "conviction" refers to adult convictions and juvenile adjudications for sex offenses or kidnapping offenses:
     (i) OFFENDERS IN CUSTODY. (A) Sex offenders who committed a sex offense on, before, or after February 28, 1990, and who, on or after July 28, 1991, are in custody, as a result of that offense, of the state department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, a local division of youth services, or a local jail or juvenile detention facility, and (B) kidnapping offenders who on or after July 27, 1997, are in custody of the state department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, a local division of youth services, or a local jail or juvenile detention facility, must register at the time of release from custody with an official designated by the agency that has jurisdiction over the offender. The agency shall within three days forward the registration information to the county sheriff for the county of the offender's anticipated residence. The offender must also register within twenty-four hours from the time of release with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence, or if the person is not a resident of Washington, the county of the person's school, or place of employment or vocation. The agency that has jurisdiction over the offender shall provide notice to the offender of the duty to register. Failure to register at the time of release and within twenty-four hours of release constitutes a violation of this section and is punishable as provided in subsection (((11))) (10) of this section.
     When the agency with jurisdiction intends to release an offender with a duty to register under this section, and the agency has knowledge that the offender is eligible for developmental disability services from the department of social and health services, the agency shall notify the division of developmental disabilities of the release. Notice shall occur not more than thirty days before the offender is to be released. The agency and the division shall assist the offender in meeting the initial registration requirement under this section. Failure to provide such assistance shall not constitute a defense for any violation of this section.
     (ii) OFFENDERS NOT IN CUSTODY BUT UNDER STATE OR LOCAL JURISDICTION. Sex offenders who, on July 28, 1991, are not in custody but are under the jurisdiction of the indeterminate sentence review board or under the department of corrections' active supervision, as defined by the department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, or a local division of youth services, for sex offenses committed before, on, or after February 28, 1990, must register within ten days of July 28, 1991. Kidnapping offenders who, on July 27, 1997, are not in custody but are under the jurisdiction of the indeterminate sentence review board or under the department of corrections' active supervision, as defined by the department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, or a local division of youth services, for kidnapping offenses committed before, on, or after July 27, 1997, must register within ten days of July 27, 1997. A change in supervision status of a sex offender who was required to register under this subsection (4)(a)(ii) as of July 28, 1991, or a kidnapping offender required to register as of July 27, 1997, shall not relieve the offender of the duty to register or to reregister following a change in residence. The obligation to register shall only cease pursuant to RCW 9A.44.140.
     (iii) OFFENDERS UNDER FEDERAL JURISDICTION. Sex offenders who, on or after July 23, 1995, and kidnapping offenders who, on or after July 27, 1997, as a result of that offense are in the custody of the United States bureau of prisons or other federal or military correctional agency for sex offenses committed before, on, or after February 28, 1990, or kidnapping offenses committed on, before, or after July 27, 1997, must register within twenty-four hours from the time of release with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence, or if the person is not a resident of Washington, the county of the person's school, or place of employment or vocation. Sex offenders who, on July 23, 1995, are not in custody but are under the jurisdiction of the United States bureau of prisons, United States courts, United States parole commission, or military parole board for sex offenses committed before, on, or after February 28, 1990, must register within ten days of July 23, 1995. Kidnapping offenders who, on July 27, 1997, are not in custody but are under the jurisdiction of the United States bureau of prisons, United States courts, United States parole commission, or military parole board for kidnapping offenses committed before, on, or after July 27, 1997, must register within ten days of July 27, 1997. A change in supervision status of a sex offender who was required to register under this subsection (4)(a)(iii) as of July 23, 1995, or a kidnapping offender required to register as of July 27, 1997 shall not relieve the offender of the duty to register or to reregister following a change in residence, or if the person is not a resident of Washington, the county of the person's school, or place of employment or vocation. The obligation to register shall only cease pursuant to RCW 9A.44.140.
     (iv) OFFENDERS WHO ARE CONVICTED BUT NOT CONFINED. Sex offenders who are convicted of a sex offense on or after July 28, 1991, for a sex offense that was committed on or after February 28, 1990, and kidnapping offenders who are convicted on or after July 27, 1997, for a kidnapping offense that was committed on or after July 27, 1997, but who are not sentenced to serve a term of confinement immediately upon sentencing, shall report to the county sheriff to register immediately upon completion of being sentenced.
     (v) OFFENDERS WHO ARE NEW RESIDENTS OR RETURNING WASHINGTON RESIDENTS. Sex offenders and kidnapping offenders who move to Washington state from another state or a foreign country that are not under the jurisdiction of the state department of corrections, the indeterminate sentence review board, or the state department of social and health services at the time of moving to Washington, must register within three business days of establishing residence or reestablishing residence if the person is a former Washington resident. The duty to register under this subsection applies to sex offenders convicted under the laws of another state or a foreign country, federal or military statutes for offenses committed before, on, or after February 28, 1990, or Washington state for offenses committed before, on, or after February 28, 1990, and to kidnapping offenders convicted under the laws of another state or a foreign country, federal or military statutes, or Washington state for offenses committed before, on, or after July 27, 1997. Sex offenders and kidnapping offenders from other states or a foreign country who, when they move to Washington, are under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections, the indeterminate sentence review board, or the department of social and health services must register within twenty-four hours of moving to Washington. The agency that has jurisdiction over the offender shall notify the offender of the registration requirements before the offender moves to Washington.
     (vi) OFFENDERS FOUND NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY. Any adult or juvenile who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity under chapter 10.77 RCW of (A) committing a sex offense on, before, or after February 28, 1990, and who, on or after July 23, 1995, is in custody, as a result of that finding, of the state department of social and health services, or (B) committing a kidnapping offense on, before, or after July 27, 1997, and who on or after July 27, 1997, is in custody, as a result of that finding, of the state department of social and health services, must register within twenty-four hours from the time of release with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence. The state department of social and health services shall provide notice to the adult or juvenile in its custody of the duty to register. Any adult or juvenile who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of committing a sex offense on, before, or after February 28, 1990, but who was released before July 23, 1995, or any adult or juvenile who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of committing a kidnapping offense but who was released before July 27, 1997, shall be required to register within twenty-four hours of receiving notice of this registration requirement. The state department of social and health services shall make reasonable attempts within available resources to notify sex offenders who were released before July 23, 1995, and kidnapping offenders who were released before July 27, 1997. Failure to register within twenty-four hours of release, or of receiving notice, constitutes a violation of this section and is punishable as provided in subsection (((11))) (10) of this section.
     (vii) OFFENDERS WHO LACK A FIXED RESIDENCE. Any person who lacks a fixed residence and leaves the county in which he or she is registered and enters and remains within a new county for twenty-four hours is required to register with the county sheriff not more than twenty-four hours after entering the county and provide the information required in subsection (3)(b) of this section.
     (viii) OFFENDERS WHO LACK A FIXED RESIDENCE AND WHO ARE UNDER SUPERVISION. Offenders who lack a fixed residence and who are under the supervision of the department shall register in the county of their supervision.
     (ix) OFFENDERS WHO MOVE TO, WORK, CARRY ON A VOCATION, OR ATTEND SCHOOL IN ANOTHER STATE. Offenders required to register in Washington, who move to another state, or who work, carry on a vocation, or attend school in another state shall register a new address, fingerprints, and photograph with the new state within ten days after establishing residence, or after beginning to work, carry on a vocation, or attend school in the new state. The person must also send written notice within ten days of moving to the new state or to a foreign country to the county sheriff with whom the person last registered in Washington state. The county sheriff shall promptly forward this information to the Washington state patrol.
     (b) Failure to register within the time required under this section constitutes a per se violation of this section and is punishable as provided in subsection (((11))) (10) of this section. The county sheriff shall not be required to determine whether the person is living within the county.
     (c) An arrest on charges of failure to register, service of an information, or a complaint for a violation of this section, or arraignment on charges for a violation of this section, constitutes actual notice of the duty to register. Any person charged with the crime of failure to register under this section who asserts as a defense the lack of notice of the duty to register shall register immediately following actual notice of the duty through arrest, service, or arraignment. Failure to register as required under this subsection (4)(c) constitutes grounds for filing another charge of failing to register. Registering following arrest, service, or arraignment on charges shall not relieve the offender from criminal liability for failure to register prior to the filing of the original charge.
     (d) The deadlines for the duty to register under this section do not relieve any sex offender of the duty to register under this section as it existed prior to July 28, 1991.
     (5)(a) If any person required to register pursuant to this section changes his or her residence address within the same county, the person must send signed written notice of the change of address to the county sheriff within seventy-two hours of moving. If any person required to register pursuant to this section moves to a new county, the person must send signed written notice of the change of address at least fourteen days before moving to the county sheriff in the new county of residence and must register with that county sheriff within twenty-four hours of moving. The person must also send signed written notice within ten days of the change of address in the new county to the county sheriff with whom the person last registered. The county sheriff with whom the person last registered shall promptly forward the information concerning the change of address to the county sheriff for the county of the person's new residence. Upon receipt of notice of change of address to a new state, the county sheriff shall promptly forward the information regarding the change of address to the agency designated by the new state as the state's offender registration agency.
     (b) It is an affirmative defense to a charge that the person failed to send a notice at least fourteen days in advance of moving as required under (a) of this subsection that the person did not know the location of his or her new residence at least fourteen days before moving. The defendant must establish the defense by a preponderance of the evidence and, to prevail on the defense, must also prove by a preponderance that the defendant sent the required notice within twenty-four hours of determining the new address.
     (6)(a) Any person required to register under this section who lacks a fixed residence shall provide signed written notice to the sheriff of the county where he or she last registered within forty-eight hours excluding weekends and holidays after ceasing to have a fixed residence. The notice shall include the information required by subsection (3)(b) of this section, except the photograph and fingerprints. The county sheriff may, for reasonable cause, require the offender to provide a photograph and fingerprints. The sheriff shall forward this information to the sheriff of the county in which the person intends to reside, if the person intends to reside in another county.
     (b) A person who lacks a fixed residence must report weekly, in person, to the sheriff of the county where he or she is registered. The weekly report shall be on a day specified by the county sheriff's office, and shall occur during normal business hours. The county sheriff's office may require the person to list the locations where the person has stayed during the last seven days. The lack of a fixed residence is a factor that may be considered in determining an offender's risk level and shall make the offender subject to disclosure of information to the public at large pursuant to RCW 4.24.550.
     (c) If any person required to register pursuant to this section does not have a fixed residence, it is an affirmative defense to the charge of failure to register, that he or she provided written notice to the sheriff of the county where he or she last registered within forty-eight hours excluding weekends and holidays after ceasing to have a fixed residence and has subsequently complied with the requirements of subsections (4)(a)(vii) or (viii) and (6) of this section. To prevail, the person must prove the defense by a preponderance of the evidence.
     (7) ((All offenders who are required to register pursuant to this section who have a fixed residence and who are designated as a risk level II or III must report, in person, every ninety days to the sheriff of the county where he or she is registered. Reporting shall be on a day specified by the county sheriff's office, and shall occur during normal business hours. An offender who complies with the ninety-day reporting requirement with no violations for a period of at least five years in the community may petition the superior court to be relieved of the duty to report every ninety days. The petition shall be made to the superior court in the county where the offender resides or reports under this section. The prosecuting attorney of the county shall be named and served as respondent in any such petition. The court shall relieve the petitioner of the duty to report if the petitioner shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the petitioner has complied with the reporting requirement for a period of at least five years and that the offender has not been convicted of a criminal violation of this section for a period of at least five years, and the court determines that the reporting no longer serves a public safety purpose. Failure to report, as specified, constitutes a violation of this section and is punishable as provided in subsection (11) of this section.
     (8))) A sex offender subject to registration requirements under this section who applies to change his or her name under RCW 4.24.130 or any other law shall submit a copy of the application to the county sheriff of the county of the person's residence and to the state patrol not fewer than five days before the entry of an order granting the name change. No sex offender under the requirement to register under this section at the time of application shall be granted an order changing his or her name if the court finds that doing so will interfere with legitimate law enforcement interests, except that no order shall be denied when the name change is requested for religious or legitimate cultural reasons or in recognition of marriage or dissolution of marriage. A sex offender under the requirement to register under this section who receives an order changing his or her name shall submit a copy of the order to the county sheriff of the county of the person's residence and to the state patrol within five days of the entry of the order.
     (((9))) (8) The county sheriff shall obtain a photograph of the individual and shall obtain a copy of the individual's fingerprints. A photograph may be taken at any time to update an individual's file.
     (((10))) (9) For the purpose of RCW 9A.44.130, 10.01.200, 43.43.540, 70.48.470, and 72.09.330:
     (a) "Sex offense" means:
     (i) Any offense defined as a sex offense by RCW 9.94A.030;
     (ii) Any violation under RCW 9A.44.096 (sexual misconduct with a minor in the second degree);
     (iii) Any violation under RCW 9.68A.090 (communication with a minor for immoral purposes);
     (iv) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be classified as a sex offense under this subsection; and
     (v) Any gross misdemeanor that is, under chapter 9A.28 RCW, a criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit an offense that is classified as a sex offense under RCW 9.94A.030 or this subsection.
     (b) "Kidnapping offense" means: (i) The crimes of kidnapping in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, and unlawful imprisonment, as defined in chapter 9A.40 RCW, where the victim is a minor and the offender is not the minor's parent; (ii) any offense that is, under chapter 9A.28 RCW, a criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit an offense that is classified as a kidnapping offense under this subsection (((10))) (9)(b); and (iii) any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be classified as a kidnapping offense under this subsection (((10))) (9)(b).
     (c) "Employed" or "carries on a vocation" means employment that is full-time or part-time for a period of time exceeding fourteen days, or for an aggregate period of time exceeding thirty days during any calendar year. A person is employed or carries on a vocation whether the person's employment is financially compensated, volunteered, or for the purpose of government or educational benefit.
     (d) "Student" means a person who is enrolled, on a full-time or part-time basis, in any public or private educational institution. An educational institution includes any secondary school, trade or professional institution, or institution of higher education.
     (((11))) (10)(a) A person who knowingly fails to comply with any of the requirements of this section is guilty of a class B felony if the crime for which the individual was convicted was a felony sex offense as defined in subsection (((10))) (9)(a) of this section or a federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony sex offense as defined in subsection (((10))) (9)(a) of this section.
     (b) If the crime for which the individual was convicted was other than a felony or a federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be other than a felony, violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.
     (((12))) (11)(a) A person who knowingly fails to comply with any of the requirements of this section is guilty of a class C felony if the crime for which the individual was convicted was a felony kidnapping offense as defined in subsection (((10))) (9)(b) of this section or a federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony kidnapping offense as defined in subsection (((10))) (9)(b) of this section.
     (b) If the crime for which the individual was convicted was other than a felony or a federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be other than a felony, violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.
     (((13))) (12) Except as may otherwise be provided by law, nothing in this section shall impose any liability upon a peace officer, including a county sheriff, or law enforcement agency, for failing to release information authorized under this section.

Sec. 2   RCW 9A.44.135 and 2000 c 91 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) When an offender registers with the county sheriff pursuant to RCW 9A.44.130, the county sheriff shall notify the police chief or town marshal of the jurisdiction in which the offender has registered to live. ((If the offender registers to live in an unincorporated area of the county,)) The sheriff shall ((make reasonable attempts to)) verify that the offender is residing at the registered address as provided in section 3 of this act. ((If the offender registers to live in an incorporated city or town, the police chief or town marshal shall make reasonable attempts to verify that the offender is residing at the registered address. Reasonable attempts at verifying an address shall include at a minimum:
     (a) For offenders who have not been previously designated sexually violent predators under chapter 71.09 RCW or an equivalent procedure in another jurisdiction,))
     (2) In addition to the requirements regarding address verification provided in section 3 of this act, each year the ((chief law enforcement officer)) county sheriff of the jurisdiction where the offender is registered to live shall send by certified mail, with return receipt requested, a nonforwardable verification form to the offender at the offender's last registered address. (((b))) For offenders who have been previously designated sexually violent predators under chapter 71.09 RCW or the equivalent procedure in another jurisdiction, even if the designation has subsequently been removed, every ninety days the county sheriff shall send by certified mail, with return receipt requested, a nonforwardable verification form to the offender at the offender's last registered address.
     (((c))) (a) The offender must sign the verification form, state on the form whether he or she still resides at the last registered address, and return the form to the ((chief law enforcement officer of the jurisdiction where the offender is registered to live)) county sheriff by certified mail, with return receipt requested, within ten days after receipt of the form.
     (((2) The chief law enforcement officer of the jurisdiction where the offender has registered to live shall make reasonable attempts to locate any sex offender who fails to return the verification form or who cannot be located at the registered address.
     If the offender fails to return the verification form or the offender is not at the last registered address, the chief law enforcement officer of the jurisdiction where the offender has registered to live shall promptly forward this information to the county sheriff and to the Washington state patrol for inclusion in the central registry of sex offenders.))
     (b) A county sheriff may enter into an agreement with one or more police chiefs or town marshals for the purposes of delegating the authority and obligation to fulfill the requirements of this subsection to a police chief or town marshal.
     (3) When an offender notifies the county sheriff of a change to his or her residence address pursuant to RCW 9A.44.130, and the new address is in a different law enforcement jurisdiction, the county sheriff shall notify the police chief or town marshal of the jurisdiction from which the offender has moved.
     (4) Whenever the county sheriff determines an offender is not at the last registered address, the county sheriff of the jurisdiction where the offender has registered to live shall promptly forward this information to the Washington state patrol for inclusion in the central registry of sex offenders.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 36.28A RCW to read as follows:
     (1) When funded, the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs shall administer a grant program to county sheriffs for the purpose of verifying the address and residency of sex offenders and kidnapping offenders registered under RCW 9A.44.130 who reside within the county sheriff's jurisdiction. The Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs shall:
     (a) Enter into performance-based agreements with units of local governments to ensure that registered offender address and residency are verified:
     (i) For level I offenders, every twelve months;
     (ii) For level II offenders, every six months; and
     (iii) For level III offenders, every three months;
     (b) Collect performance data from all participating jurisdictions sufficient to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the address and residency verification program; and
     (c) Submit a report on the effectiveness of the address and residency verification program to the governor and the appropriate committees of the house of representatives and senate by December 31st each year.
     (2) The Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs may retain up to three percent of the amount provided in this section for the cost of administration. Any funds not disbursed for address and residency verification or retained for administration may be allocated to local prosecutors for the prosecution costs associated with failing to register offenses.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, unclassified offenders and kidnapping offenders shall be considered at risk level I unless in the opinion of the local jurisdiction a higher classification is in the interest of public safety.