SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5114

BYSenators Pullen, Niemi, Thorsness, Madsen, McCaslin and Bailey

Providing for registration of sex offenders.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 12, 1989

Senate Staff:Joyce Ansley (786-7418)

AS OF FEBRUARY 21, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Recent statistics indicate that there is a high rate of recidivism among convicted sex offenders.  Law enforcement officials across the nation are therefore seeking an effective method of identifying and locating repeat sexual offenders.

It is suggested that convicted sexual offenders be required to register with the local law enforcement agency of the county in which they reside.

SUMMARY:

Any person residing within this state who has been convicted of a sexual offense, either in this state or another state, is required to register with the sheriff's department of the county in which they reside.  Failure to register constitutes a gross misdemeanor.

The State Patrol is required to maintain a central registry of sex offenders.  Law enforcement agencies or persons engaged in bona fide research as determined by the State Patrol may have access to the information contained in the registry without a court order.  Any further dissemination by such agencies or parties of information provided, however, constitutes a misdemeanor.  A convicted sexual offender may also have access to his or her own records.

The State Patrol, its employees, and the sheriff's department of any county are immune from any cause of action or claim arising from the lawful dissemination of the information contained in the registry.

The Department of Corrections is required to provide written notification of the registration requirement to a convicted sexual offender upon the inmate's release from confinement.

The local sheriff's department of any county is required to provide written notification of the registration requirement to a convicted sexual offender who is in the custody of the jail upon such person's release from confinement.

The Department of Licensing is required to provide written information on the registration requirement for convicted sex offenders to any person who surrenders a driver's license from another state and applies for a Washington driver's license or identi-card.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available