SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2368

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

        Human Services & Corrections, February 26, 1998

Title:  An act relating to security on campuses of institutions of higher education.

Brief Description:  Requiring sex offenders and kidnappers on college campuses to register with campus security.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives Carlson, Kenney, Radcliff, Gardner, Anderson, Constantine and Mason).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/24/98, 2/26/98 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Long, Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Franklin, Hargrove, Kohl, Schow and Stevens.

Staff:  Fara Daun (786-7459)

Background:  Convicted sex offenders and kidnappers are required to register with the sheriff of the county in which they reside.  Currently, there is no requirement that offenders who are students must also register at their institution of higher education.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Individuals required to register with the county sheriff due to a sex or kidnapping offense must also notify the sheriff of their intent to attend any public or private institution of higher education within ten days of enrollment or by the first business day after arrival, whichever is earlier.  Persons currently attending an institution on the effective date of the act must notify their sheriff immediately.  The sheriff will notify the institution's public safety department.  No powers under the community notification statute are conferred to any higher education institution under this act.

The State Patrol must notify all registered offenders of changes in the registration requirements.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The substitute bill required a separate registration with the institution and made it a separate crime to fail to register.  The substitute did not address students currently attending higher education institutions.  The striking amendment includes notification in the current registration scheme and failure to notify the sheriff would be a crime within the current statute.  It also requires the State Patrol to give notice to currently registered offenders of changes in the registration requirements.

Because the substitute bill required separate registration at the school, it was not clear about community notification powers; the striking amendment retains those powers with the county sheriff.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The problem arises with offenders who live in one county and attend a higher education institution in another.  This bill would provide them with means of receiving information and would include private schools in the information loop.  Federal law requires campus security to inform the school community of crimes committed in the campus neighborhood and warn the student body of dangers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Rep. Don Carlson, prime sponsor (pro); Steve Rittereiser, CWU and WACLEA (pro).