HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5824

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by  Senators Halsan, Nelson, Talmadge and Bauer)

Making assault at state corrections facilities and local detention facilities a class C felony.

House Committe on Judiciary

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (15)

      Signed by Representatives Armstrong, Chair; Crane, Vice Chair; Appelwick, Brough, Hargrove, Heavey, P. King, Moyer, Niemi, Padden, Patrick, Schmidt, Scott, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:Charlie Gavigan (786-7340)

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments by Committee on Judiciary.  (21)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Allen, Belcher, Braddock, Brekke, Bristow, Ebersole, Fuhrman, Grant, Grimm, Hine, McLean, McMullen, Niemi, Peery, Sayan, Silver, L. Smith, H. Sommers, Sprenkle and B. Williams

House Staff:      Ron Morrison (786-7178)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 9, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Employees of state and local corrections often face the risk of assault, or are actually assaulted by inmates or residents.  The assault may not meet the level of seriousness to prosecute as a felony.

SUMMARY:

Custodial assault is any assault on staff members, volunteers, educational personnel, personal service providers, or vendors or agents of any state or local, adult or juvenile, corrections or detention facility.  Custodial assault is a class C felony.  An assault on a custodian (employee) that meets the definition of a first or second degree assault is not a custodial assault; this type of assault remains a class A or B felony.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Judiciary)  Scott Sigmon, Federal of State Employees; Teresa Heishman, Department of Social and Health Services (Green Hill School); Lou Kinville, County and City State Council; Bill Collins, Washington Correctional Association; Tom Heywood, Department of Social and Health Services (Echo Glen).

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Judiciary)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Judiciary)  There is little protection from assaults for custodians because most of these assaults are not serious enough to prosecute as felonies.  This act will deter assaults because the offender would know it is a felony and taken seriously by the judicial system.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Judiciary)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.