SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5673

BYSenators Pullen, McCaslin, Thorsness, Rasmussen, Nelson, Smitherman and Bauer

Requiring periodic post-release follow-up of sex offenders.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 13, 1989; February 16, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5673 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Joyce Ansley (786-7418)

                  February 16, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 16, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Current law provides that on all sentences of confinement for one year or less, the court may impose up to one year of community supervision.

It is suggested that a one-year period of post-release supervision may not be a sufficient period of time to monitor and restrict the activities of a sex offender.

SUMMARY:

For felony sex offenses, the sentencing court shall impose periodic post-release follow-up for the duration of the offender's life.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Offenders shall undergo evaluation by a licensed mental health professional who is a recognized sex offender therapist, instead of by "a psychiatrist."

The duration of post-release follow-up period is the remainder of the statutory maximum period of confinement, not "the duration of the offender's life."

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 27, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Eleanor Ballasiotes (pro); Roger Wolfe, Northwest Treatment Associates (pro)