SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1065

BYHouse Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Jones, Hargrove, Patrick, Walker, S. Wilson, Haugen, Basich, Brough, Todd, Ferguson, Holland, Crane, Cole, Rayburn, Jesernig, Rector, Heavey, Pruitt, Leonard, Kremen, Winsley, P. King, Bowman, Moyer, Silver, Cantwell, D. Sommers, Wineberry, H. Myers, G. Fisher, K. Wilson, Morris, Miller, Wolfe, Youngsman, Van Luven, McLean, Nealey, Tate, May, Schoon, Brumsickle, Doty, Phillips, Betrozoff and Anderson)

Increasing penalties for sex crimes against children.

House Committe on Judiciary

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 28, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Pullen, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Hayner, Madsen, Nelson, Newhouse, Niemi, Rasmussen, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Joyce Ansley (786-7418)

                  March 28, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, MARCH 28, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Sentencing Reform Act has special sentencing alternatives for offenders convicted of certain sexual offenses.  Those alternatives include outpatient and inpatient treatment, and treatment while incarcerated.  Some sexual offenses have a seven-year statute of limitations while other sexual offenses have a three-year statute of limitations.

SUMMARY:

The Sentencing Guidelines Commission is directed to evaluate the effectiveness of mandatory treatment for sexual offenders incarcerated in prison.  The court may require the defendant to pay for sexual deviancy evaluations and treatment.  Prosecutors are encouraged to avoid prefiling diversion agreements in sexual assault cases.  The statute of limitations is increased from three years to seven years for incest, first degree rape and second degree rape if the victim was under 14 at the time of the offense.  A blue ribbon panel is established to study the effectiveness of the special sexual offender sentencing alternative.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 17, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Evan Jones, original sponsor (pro); Lonnie Johns-Brown, Washington Association of Child Abuse Councils and Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (pro); Gary Edwards, Thurston County Sheriff (pro)