FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6147

                                  C 158 L 88

BYSenate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Pullen, Niemi, Rasmussen, Craswell and Nelson)

Revising the criminal definition of "substantial bodily harm."

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

House Committe on Judiciary

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In the 1986 and 1987 sessions, the Legislature passed two bills amending the assault statutes.  The amendments included a delayed implementation date of July 1, 1988, to allow time for interested parties to study the new statutes and report back to the Legislature.

SUMMARY:

In the definitions section of the Washington criminal code, "substantial bodily harm" is modified to mean bodily harm which involves a temporary but substantial disfigurement, or which causes a temporary but substantial loss or impairment of the function of any bodily part or organ, or which causes a fracture of any bodily part.  The definition of "substantial pain" is omitted.

Second degree assault is modified.  Persons who knowingly inflict bodily harm which by design causes such pain or agony as to be the equivalent of that produced by torture are guilty of second degree assault.

Third degree assault is modified.  Persons are guilty of third degree assault if with criminal negligence they cause bodily harm accompanied by substantial pain that extends for a period sufficient to cause considerable suffering.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    48     0

      House 95   0

EFFECTIVE:July 1, 1988