SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6255

BYSenators Nelson, Talmadge, Bailey, Anderson, Hayner, Johnson, Sutherland, McCaslin, Warnke and Patrick

Increasing penalties for assaulting transit and school bus drivers.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 18, 1990; January 19, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6255 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Jon Carlson (786-7459)

                  January 19, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, JANUARY 19, 1990

BACKGROUND:

There is growing concern for the safety of transit operators and school bus operators throughout the state.  In particular, on certain routes of the Metropolitan Municipal Corporation of Seattle (METRO), the drivers and passengers frequently find themselves the target of physical and verbal harassment.  On occasion, these incidents escalate to the point of serious injury.

Legislation is suggested which would specifically address assault of school bus drivers, and raise the criminal penalty for assault of a transit operator.

SUMMARY:

Assault of a transit operator or driver while that person is operating or in control of a vehicle owned or operated by the transit company is raised from third degree assault (class C felony) to second degree assault (class B felony).  Assault of a school bus driver operating or in control of a school bus is a class B felony.

Assault of a transit operator or school bus driver while that person is in the course of his or her employment is a third degree assault.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Assault of a transit operator or school bus driver while that person is in the course of his or her employment is a third degree assault.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 16, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified: Mike Redman, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; Dick Randall, Public School Employees of Washington; Linda Czeisler, METRO