Z-0468.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1131
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 55th Legislature 1997 Regular Session
By Representatives Costa, Blalock, Chopp, Conway, Lantz, Keiser, Poulsen, O'Brien, Murray, Gombosky, Cody and Anderson; by request of Governor Lowry
Read first time 01/15/97. Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
AN ACT Relating to domestic violence; amending RCW 5.60.060, 9A.16.060, 9A.36.041, 10.31.100, and 9.94A.040; reenacting and amending RCW 9.94A.320 and 9.94A.120; adding a new section to chapter 40.24 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 70.58 RCW; prescribing penalties; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 5.60.060 and 1996 c 156 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A husband shall not be examined for or against his wife, without the consent of the wife, nor a wife for or against her husband without the consent of the husband; nor can either during marriage or afterward, be without the consent of the other, examined as to any communication made by one to the other during marriage. But this exception shall not apply to a civil action or proceeding by one against the other, nor to a criminal action or proceeding for a crime committed by one against the other, nor to a criminal action or proceeding against a spouse if the marriage occurred subsequent to the filing of formal charges against the defendant, nor to a criminal action or proceeding for a crime committed by said husband or wife against any child of whom said husband or wife is the parent or guardian, nor to a proceeding under chapter 70.96A or 71.05 RCW: PROVIDED, That the spouse of a person sought to be detained under chapter 70.96A or 71.05 RCW may not be compelled to testify and shall be so informed by the court prior to being called as a witness.
(2) An attorney or counselor shall not, without the consent of his or her client, be examined as to any communication made by the client to him or her, or his or her advice given thereon in the course of professional employment.
(3) A member of the clergy or a priest shall not, without the consent of a person making the confession, be examined as to any confession made to him or her in his or her professional character, in the course of discipline enjoined by the church to which he or she belongs.
(4) Subject to the limitations under RCW 70.96A.140 or 71.05.250, a physician or surgeon or osteopathic physician or surgeon shall not, without the consent of his or her patient, be examined in a civil action as to any information acquired in attending such patient, which was necessary to enable him or her to prescribe or act for the patient, except as follows:
(a) In any judicial proceedings regarding a child's injury, neglect, or sexual abuse or the cause thereof; and
(b) Ninety days after filing an action for personal injuries or wrongful death, the claimant shall be deemed to waive the physician-patient privilege. Waiver of the physician-patient privilege for any one physician or condition constitutes a waiver of the privilege as to all physicians or conditions, subject to such limitations as a court may impose pursuant to court rules.
(5) A public officer shall not be examined as a witness as to communications made to him or her in official confidence, when the public interest would suffer by the disclosure.
(6)(a) A peer support group counselor shall not, without consent of the law enforcement officer making the communication, be compelled to testify about any communication made to the counselor by the officer while receiving counseling. The counselor must be designated as such by the sheriff, police chief, or chief of the Washington state patrol, prior to the incident that results in counseling. The privilege only applies when the communication was made to the counselor while acting in his or her capacity as a peer support group counselor. The privilege does not apply if the counselor was an initial responding officer, a witness, or a party to the incident which prompted the delivery of peer support group counseling services to the law enforcement officer.
(b) For purposes of this section, "peer support group counselor" means a:
(i) Law enforcement officer, or civilian employee of a law enforcement agency, who has received training to provide emotional and moral support and counseling to an officer who needs those services as a result of an incident in which the officer was involved while acting in his or her official capacity; or
(ii) Nonemployee counselor who has been designated by the sheriff, police chief, or chief of the Washington state patrol to provide emotional and moral support and counseling to an officer who needs those services as a result of an incident in which the officer was involved while acting in his or her official capacity.
(7) A sexual assault advocate may not, without the consent of the victim, be examined as to any communication made by the victim to the sexual assault advocate.
(a) For purposes of this section, "sexual assault advocate" means the employee or volunteer from a rape crisis center, victim assistance unit, program, or association, that provides information, medical or legal advocacy, counseling, or support to victims of sexual assault, who is designated by the victim to accompany the victim to the hospital or other health care facility and to proceedings concerning the alleged assault, including police and prosecution interviews and court proceedings.
(b) A sexual assault advocate may disclose a confidential communication without the consent of the victim if failure to disclose is likely to result in a clear, imminent risk of serious physical injury or death of the victim or another person. Any sexual assault advocate participating in good faith in the disclosing of records and communications under this section shall have immunity from any liability, civil, criminal, or otherwise, that might result from the action. In any proceeding, civil or criminal, arising out of a disclosure under this section, the good faith of the sexual assault advocate who disclosed the confidential communication shall be presumed.
(8) A domestic violence counselor or advocate may not, without the consent of the victim, be examined as to any communication made by the victim to the counselor or advocate. For purposes of this section, "domestic violence counselor or advocate" means the employee or volunteer from a domestic violence program or shelter, victim assistance unit, program, or association, that provides information, medical or legal advocacy, counseling, or support to victims of domestic violence, who is designated by the victim to accompany the victim to the hospital or other health care facility and to proceedings concerning the alleged assault or abuse, including police and prosecution interviews and court proceedings.
Sec. 2. RCW 9A.16.060 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 260 s 9A.16.060 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) In any prosecution for a crime, it is a defense that:
(a) The actor participated in the crime under compulsion by another who by threat or use of force created an apprehension in the mind of the actor that in case of refusal he or another would be liable to immediate death or immediate grievous bodily injury; and
(b) That such apprehension was reasonable upon the part of the actor; and
(c) That the actor would not have participated in the crime except for the duress involved.
(2) The defense of duress is not available if the crime charged is murder or manslaughter.
(3) The defense of duress is not available if the actor intentionally or recklessly places himself in a situation in which it is probable that he will be subject to duress.
(4) ((The defense of
duress is not established solely by a showing that a married person acted on
the command of his or her spouse)) Evidence that the defendant had
suffered a continuing pattern of physical or sexual abuse and was acting under
the influence of, or in response to, that abuse at the time of the offense is
admissible for consideration of this defense.
Sec. 3. RCW 9A.36.041 and 1987 c 188 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A person is guilty of assault in the fourth degree if, under circumstances not amounting to assault in the first, second, or third degree, or custodial assault, he or she assaults another.
(2) Assault in the fourth degree is a gross misdemeanor.
(3) The second or subsequent conviction of assault in the fourth degree against the same victim is a class C felony.
Sec. 4. RCW 10.31.100 and 1996 c 248 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
A police officer having probable cause to believe that a person has committed or is committing a felony shall have the authority to arrest the person without a warrant. A police officer may arrest a person without a warrant for committing a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor only when the offense is committed in the presence of the officer, except as provided in subsections (1) through (10) of this section.
(1) Any police officer having probable cause to believe that a person has committed or is committing a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor, involving physical harm or threats of harm to any person or property or the unlawful taking of property or involving the use or possession of cannabis, or involving the acquisition, possession, or consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of twenty-one years under RCW 66.44.270, or involving criminal trespass under RCW 9A.52.070 or 9A.52.080, shall have the authority to arrest the person.
(2) A police officer shall arrest and take into custody, pending release on bail, personal recognizance, or court order, a person without a warrant when the officer has probable cause to believe that:
(a) An order has been issued of which the person has knowledge under RCW 10.99.040(2), 10.99.050, 26.09.050, 26.09.060, 26.10.040, 26.10.115, 26.44.063, chapter 26.26 RCW, or chapter 26.50 RCW restraining the person and the person has violated the terms of the order restraining the person from acts or threats of violence or restraining the person from going onto the grounds of or entering a residence, workplace, school, or day care or, in the case of an order issued under RCW 26.44.063, imposing any other restrictions or conditions upon the person; or
(b) The person is
sixteen years or older and within the preceding ((four)) twenty-four
hours has assaulted a family or household member as defined in RCW 10.99.020
and the officer believes: (i) A felonious assault has occurred; (ii) an
assault has occurred which has resulted in bodily injury to the victim, whether
the injury is observable by the responding officer or not; or (iii) that any
physical action has occurred which was intended to cause another person
reasonably to fear imminent serious bodily injury or death. Bodily injury means
physical pain, illness, or an impairment of physical condition. When the
officer has probable cause to believe that family or household members have
assaulted each other, the officer is not required to arrest both persons. The
officer shall arrest the person whom the officer believes to be the primary
physical aggressor. In making this determination, the officer shall make every
reasonable effort to consider: (i) The intent to protect victims of domestic
violence under RCW 10.99.010; (ii) the comparative extent of injuries inflicted
or serious threats creating fear of physical injury; and (iii) the history of
domestic violence between the persons involved. Officers are immune from
civil action for damages arising out of the good faith performance of their
duties as prescribed by this section.
(3) Any police officer having probable cause to believe that a person has committed or is committing a violation of any of the following traffic laws shall have the authority to arrest the person:
(a) RCW 46.52.010, relating to duty on striking an unattended car or other property;
(b) RCW 46.52.020, relating to duty in case of injury to or death of a person or damage to an attended vehicle;
(c) RCW 46.61.500 or 46.61.530, relating to reckless driving or racing of vehicles;
(d) RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, relating to persons under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs;
(e) RCW 46.20.342, relating to driving a motor vehicle while operator's license is suspended or revoked;
(f) RCW 46.61.525, relating to operating a motor vehicle in a negligent manner.
(4) A law enforcement officer investigating at the scene of a motor vehicle accident may arrest the driver of a motor vehicle involved in the accident if the officer has probable cause to believe that the driver has committed in connection with the accident a violation of any traffic law or regulation.
(5) Any police officer having probable cause to believe that a person has committed or is committing a violation of RCW 88.12.025 shall have the authority to arrest the person.
(6) An officer may act upon the request of a law enforcement officer in whose presence a traffic infraction was committed, to stop, detain, arrest, or issue a notice of traffic infraction to the driver who is believed to have committed the infraction. The request by the witnessing officer shall give an officer the authority to take appropriate action under the laws of the state of Washington.
(7) Any police officer having probable cause to believe that a person has committed or is committing any act of indecent exposure, as defined in RCW 9A.88.010, may arrest the person.
(8) A police officer may arrest and take into custody, pending release on bail, personal recognizance, or court order, a person without a warrant when the officer has probable cause to believe that an order has been issued of which the person has knowledge under chapter 10.14 RCW and the person has violated the terms of that order.
(9) Any police officer having probable cause to believe that a person has, within twenty-four hours of the alleged violation, committed a violation of RCW 9A.50.020 may arrest such person.
(10) A police officer having probable cause to believe that a person illegally possesses or illegally has possessed a firearm or other dangerous weapon on private or public elementary or secondary school premises shall have the authority to arrest the person.
For purposes of this subsection, the term "firearm" has the meaning defined in RCW 9.41.010 and the term "dangerous weapon" has the meaning defined in RCW 9.41.250 and 9.41.280(1) (c) through (e).
(11) Except as specifically provided in subsections (2), (3), (4), and (6) of this section, nothing in this section extends or otherwise affects the powers of arrest prescribed in Title 46 RCW.
(12) No police officer may be held criminally or civilly liable for making an arrest pursuant to RCW 10.31.100 (2) or (8) if the police officer acts in good faith and without malice.
Sec. 5. RCW 9.94A.320 and 1996 c 302 s 6, 1996 c 205 s 3, and 1996 c 36 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
TABLE 2
CRIMES INCLUDED WITHIN EACH SERIOUSNESS LEVEL
XVAggravated Murder 1 (RCW 10.95.020)
XIVMurder 1 (RCW 9A.32.030)
Homicide by abuse (RCW 9A.32.055)
XIIIMurder 2 (RCW 9A.32.050)
XIIAssault 1 (RCW 9A.36.011)
Assault of a Child 1 (RCW 9A.36.120)
XIRape 1 (RCW 9A.44.040)
Rape of a Child 1 (RCW 9A.44.073)
XKidnapping 1 (RCW 9A.40.020)
Rape 2 (RCW 9A.44.050)
Rape of a Child 2 (RCW 9A.44.076)
Child Molestation 1 (RCW 9A.44.083)
Damaging building, etc., by explosion with threat to human being (RCW 70.74.280(1))
Over 18 and deliver heroin or narcotic from Schedule I or II to someone under 18 (RCW 69.50.406)
Leading Organized Crime (RCW 9A.82.060(1)(a))
IXAssault of a Child 2 (RCW 9A.36.130)
Robbery 1 (RCW 9A.56.200)
Manslaughter 1 (RCW 9A.32.060)
Explosive devices prohibited (RCW 70.74.180)
Indecent Liberties (with forcible compulsion) (RCW 9A.44.100(1)(a))
Endangering life and property by explosives with threat to human being (RCW 70.74.270)
Over 18 and deliver narcotic from Schedule III, IV, or V or a nonnarcotic from Schedule I-V to someone under 18 and 3 years junior (RCW 69.50.406)
Controlled Substance Homicide (RCW 69.50.415)
Sexual Exploitation (RCW 9.68A.040)
Inciting Criminal Profiteering (RCW 9A.82.060(1)(b))
Vehicular Homicide, by being under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (RCW 46.61.520)
VIIIArson 1 (RCW 9A.48.020)
Promoting Prostitution 1 (RCW 9A.88.070)
Selling for profit (controlled or counterfeit) any controlled substance (RCW 69.50.410)
Manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to deliver heroin or cocaine (RCW 69.50.401(a)(1)(i))
Manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine (RCW 69.50.401(a)(1)(ii))
Possession of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine (RCW 69.50.440)
Vehicular Homicide, by the operation of any vehicle in a reckless manner (RCW 46.61.520)
VIIBurglary 1 (RCW 9A.52.020)
Vehicular Homicide, by disregard for the safety of others (RCW 46.61.520)
Introducing Contraband 1 (RCW 9A.76.140)
Indecent Liberties (without forcible compulsion) (RCW 9A.44.100(1) (b) and (c))
Child Molestation 2 (RCW 9A.44.086)
Dealing in depictions of minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct (RCW 9.68A.050)
Sending, bringing into state depictions of minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct (RCW 9.68A.060)
Involving a minor in drug dealing (RCW 69.50.401(f))
Reckless Endangerment 1 (RCW 9A.36.045)
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the first degree (RCW 9.41.040(1)(a))
VIBribery (RCW 9A.68.010)
Manslaughter 2 (RCW 9A.32.070)
Rape of a Child 3 (RCW 9A.44.079)
Intimidating a Juror/Witness (RCW 9A.72.110, 9A.72.130)
Damaging building, etc., by explosion with no threat to human being (RCW 70.74.280(2))
Endangering life and property by explosives with no threat to human being (RCW 70.74.270)
Incest 1 (RCW 9A.64.020(1))
Manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to deliver narcotics from Schedule I or II (except heroin or cocaine) (RCW 69.50.401(a)(1)(i))
Intimidating a Judge (RCW 9A.72.160)
Bail Jumping with Murder 1 (RCW 9A.76.170(2)(a))
Theft of a Firearm (RCW 9A.56.300)
VPersistent prison misbehavior (RCW 9.94.070)
Criminal Mistreatment 1 (RCW 9A.42.020)
Abandonment of dependent person 1 (RCW 9A.42.060)
Rape 3 (RCW 9A.44.060)
Sexual Misconduct with a Minor 1 (RCW 9A.44.093)
Child Molestation 3 (RCW 9A.44.089)
Kidnapping 2 (RCW 9A.40.030)
Extortion 1 (RCW 9A.56.120)
Incest 2 (RCW 9A.64.020(2))
Perjury 1 (RCW 9A.72.020)
Extortionate Extension of Credit (RCW 9A.82.020)
Advancing money or property for extortionate extension of credit (RCW 9A.82.030)
Extortionate Means to Collect Extensions of Credit (RCW 9A.82.040)
Rendering Criminal Assistance 1 (RCW 9A.76.070)
Bail Jumping with class A Felony (RCW 9A.76.170(2)(b))
Sexually Violating Human Remains (RCW 9A.44.105)
Delivery of imitation controlled substance by person eighteen or over to person under eighteen (RCW 69.52.030(2))
Possession of a Stolen Firearm (RCW 9A.56.310)
IVResidential Burglary (RCW 9A.52.025)
Theft of Livestock 1 (RCW 9A.56.080)
Robbery 2 (RCW 9A.56.210)
Assault 2 (RCW 9A.36.021)
Escape 1 (RCW 9A.76.110)
Arson 2 (RCW 9A.48.030)
Commercial Bribery (RCW 9A.68.060)
Bribing a Witness/Bribe Received by Witness (RCW 9A.72.090, 9A.72.100)
Malicious Harassment (RCW 9A.36.080)
Threats to Bomb (RCW 9.61.160)
Willful Failure to Return from Furlough (RCW 72.66.060)
Hit and Run ‑- Injury Accident (RCW 46.52.020(4))
Hit and Run with Vessel ‑- Injury Accident (RCW 88.12.155(3))
Vehicular Assault (RCW 46.61.522)
Manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to deliver narcotics from Schedule III, IV, or V or nonnarcotics from Schedule I-V (except marijuana or methamphetamines) (RCW 69.50.401(a)(1) (iii) through (v))
Influencing Outcome of Sporting Event (RCW 9A.82.070)
Use of Proceeds of Criminal Profiteering (RCW 9A.82.080 (1) and (2))
Knowingly Trafficking in Stolen Property (RCW 9A.82.050(2))
IIICriminal Mistreatment 2 (RCW 9A.42.030)
Abandonment of dependent person 2 (RCW 9A.42.070)
Extortion 2 (RCW 9A.56.130)
Unlawful Imprisonment (RCW 9A.40.040)
Assault 3 (RCW 9A.36.031)
Assault 4 (RCW 9A.36.041) (Second or subsequent conviction against the same victim)
Assault of a Child 3 (RCW 9A.36.140)
Custodial Assault (RCW 9A.36.100)
Unlawful possession of firearm in the second degree (RCW 9.41.040(1)(b))
Harassment (RCW 9A.46.020)
Promoting Prostitution 2 (RCW 9A.88.080)
Willful Failure to Return from Work Release (RCW 72.65.070)
Burglary 2 (RCW 9A.52.030)
Introducing Contraband 2 (RCW 9A.76.150)
Communication with a Minor for Immoral Purposes (RCW 9.68A.090)
Patronizing a Juvenile Prostitute (RCW 9.68A.100)
Escape 2 (RCW 9A.76.120)
Perjury 2 (RCW 9A.72.030)
Bail Jumping with class B or C Felony (RCW 9A.76.170(2)(c))
Intimidating a Public Servant (RCW 9A.76.180)
Tampering with a Witness (RCW 9A.72.120)
Manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to deliver marijuana (RCW 69.50.401(a)(1)(iii))
Delivery of a material in lieu of a controlled substance (RCW 69.50.401(c))
Manufacture, distribute, or possess with intent to distribute an imitation controlled substance (RCW 69.52.030(1))
Recklessly Trafficking in Stolen Property (RCW 9A.82.050(1))
Theft of livestock 2 (RCW 9A.56.080)
Securities Act violation (RCW 21.20.400)
IIUnlawful Practice of Law (RCW 2.48.180)
Malicious Mischief 1 (RCW 9A.48.070)
Possession of Stolen Property 1 (RCW 9A.56.150)
Theft 1 (RCW 9A.56.030)
Trafficking in Insurance Claims (RCW 48.30A.015)
Unlicensed Practice of a Profession or Business (RCW 18.130.190(7))
Health Care False Claims (RCW 48.80.030)
Possession of controlled substance that is either heroin or narcotics from Schedule I or II (RCW 69.50.401(d))
Possession of phencyclidine (PCP) (RCW 69.50.401(d))
Create, deliver, or possess a counterfeit controlled substance (RCW 69.50.401(b))
Computer Trespass 1 (RCW 9A.52.110)
Escape from Community Custody (RCW 72.09.310)
ITheft 2 (RCW 9A.56.040)
Possession of Stolen Property 2 (RCW 9A.56.160)
Forgery (RCW 9A.60.020)
Taking Motor Vehicle Without Permission (RCW 9A.56.070)
Vehicle Prowl 1 (RCW 9A.52.095)
Attempting to Elude a Pursuing Police Vehicle (RCW 46.61.024)
Malicious Mischief 2 (RCW 9A.48.080)
Reckless Burning 1 (RCW 9A.48.040)
Unlawful Issuance of Checks or Drafts (RCW 9A.56.060)
Unlawful Use of Food Stamps (RCW 9.91.140 (2) and (3))
False Verification for Welfare (RCW 74.08.055)
Forged Prescription (RCW 69.41.020)
Forged Prescription for a Controlled Substance (RCW 69.50.403)
Possess Controlled Substance that is a Narcotic from Schedule III, IV, or V or Non-narcotic from Schedule I-V (except phencyclidine) (RCW 69.50.401(d))
Sec. 6. RCW 9.94A.120 and 1996 c 275 s 2, 1996 c 215 s 5, 1996 c 199 s 1, and 1996 c 93 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
When a person is convicted of a felony, the court shall impose punishment as provided in this section.
(1) Except as authorized in subsections (2), (4), (5), (6), and (8) of this section, the court shall impose a sentence within the sentence range for the offense.
(2) The court may impose a sentence outside the standard sentence range for that offense if it finds, considering the purpose of this chapter, that there are substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional sentence.
(3) Whenever a sentence outside the standard range is imposed, the court shall set forth the reasons for its decision in written findings of fact and conclusions of law. A sentence outside the standard range shall be a determinate sentence.
(4) A persistent offender shall be sentenced to a term of total confinement for life without the possibility of parole or, when authorized by RCW 10.95.030 for the crime of aggravated murder in the first degree, sentenced to death, notwithstanding the maximum sentence under any other law. An offender convicted of the crime of murder in the first degree shall be sentenced to a term of total confinement not less than twenty years. An offender convicted of the crime of assault in the first degree or assault of a child in the first degree where the offender used force or means likely to result in death or intended to kill the victim shall be sentenced to a term of total confinement not less than five years. An offender convicted of the crime of rape in the first degree shall be sentenced to a term of total confinement not less than five years. The foregoing minimum terms of total confinement are mandatory and shall not be varied or modified as provided in subsection (2) of this section. In addition, all offenders subject to the provisions of this subsection shall not be eligible for community custody, earned early release time, furlough, home detention, partial confinement, work crew, work release, or any other form of early release as defined under RCW 9.94A.150 (1), (2), (3), (5), (7), or (8), or any other form of authorized leave of absence from the correctional facility while not in the direct custody of a corrections officer or officers during such minimum terms of total confinement except in the case of an offender in need of emergency medical treatment or for the purpose of commitment to an inpatient treatment facility in the case of an offender convicted of the crime of rape in the first degree.
(5) In sentencing a first-time offender the court may waive the imposition of a sentence within the sentence range and impose a sentence which may include up to ninety days of confinement in a facility operated or utilized under contract by the county and a requirement that the offender refrain from committing new offenses. The sentence may also include up to two years of community supervision, which, in addition to crime-related prohibitions, may include requirements that the offender perform any one or more of the following:
(a) Devote time to a specific employment or occupation;
(b) Undergo available outpatient treatment for up to two years, or inpatient treatment not to exceed the standard range of confinement for that offense;
(c) Pursue a prescribed, secular course of study or vocational training;
(d) Remain within prescribed geographical boundaries and notify the court or the community corrections officer prior to any change in the offender's address or employment;
(e) Report as directed to the court and a community corrections officer; or
(f) Pay all court-ordered legal financial obligations as provided in RCW 9.94A.030 and/or perform community service work.
(6)(a) An offender is eligible for the special drug offender sentencing alternative if:
(i) The offender is convicted of the manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug or a felony that is, under chapter 9A.28 RCW or RCW 69.50.407, a criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit such crimes, and the violation does not involve a sentence enhancement under RCW 9.94A.310 (3) or (4);
(ii) The offender has no prior convictions for a felony in this state, another state, or the United States; and
(iii) The offense involved only a small quantity of the particular controlled substance as determined by the judge upon consideration of such factors as the weight, purity, packaging, sale price, and street value of the controlled substance.
(b) If the midpoint of the standard range is greater than one year and the sentencing judge determines that the offender is eligible for this option and that the offender and the community will benefit from the use of the special drug offender sentencing alternative, the judge may waive imposition of a sentence within the standard range and impose a sentence that must include a period of total confinement in a state facility for one-half of the midpoint of the standard range. During incarceration in the state facility, offenders sentenced under this subsection shall undergo a comprehensive substance abuse assessment and receive, within available resources, treatment services appropriate for the offender. The treatment services shall be designed by the division of alcohol and substance abuse of the department of social and health services, in cooperation with the department of corrections. If the midpoint of the standard range is twenty-four months or less, no more than three months of the sentence may be served in a work release status. The court shall also impose one year of concurrent community custody and community supervision that must include appropriate outpatient substance abuse treatment, crime-related prohibitions including a condition not to use illegal controlled substances, and a requirement to submit to urinalysis or other testing to monitor that status. The court may require that the monitoring for controlled substances be conducted by the department or by a treatment alternatives to street crime program or a comparable court or agency-referred program. The offender may be required to pay thirty dollars per month while on community custody to offset the cost of monitoring. In addition, the court shall impose three or more of the following conditions:
(i) Devote time to a specific employment or training;
(ii) Remain within prescribed geographical boundaries and notify the court or the community corrections officer before any change in the offender's address or employment;
(iii) Report as directed to a community corrections officer;
(iv) Pay all court-ordered legal financial obligations;
(v) Perform community service work;
(vi) Stay out of areas designated by the sentencing judge.
(c) If the offender violates any of the sentence conditions in (b) of this subsection, the department shall impose sanctions administratively, with notice to the prosecuting attorney and the sentencing court. Upon motion of the court or the prosecuting attorney, a violation hearing shall be held by the court. If the court finds that conditions have been willfully violated, the court may impose confinement consisting of up to the remaining one-half of the midpoint of the standard range. All total confinement served during the period of community custody shall be credited to the offender, regardless of whether the total confinement is served as a result of the original sentence, as a result of a sanction imposed by the department, or as a result of a violation found by the court. The term of community supervision shall be tolled by any period of time served in total confinement as a result of a violation found by the court.
(d) The department shall determine the rules for calculating the value of a day fine based on the offender's income and reasonable obligations which the offender has for the support of the offender and any dependents. These rules shall be developed in consultation with the administrator for the courts, the office of financial management, and the commission.
(7) If a sentence range has not been established for the defendant's crime, the court shall impose a determinate sentence which may include not more than one year of confinement, community service work, a term of community supervision not to exceed one year, and/or other legal financial obligations. The court may impose a sentence which provides more than one year of confinement if the court finds, considering the purpose of this chapter, that there are substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional sentence.
(8)(a)(i) When an offender is convicted of a sex offense other than a violation of RCW 9A.44.050 or a sex offense that is also a serious violent offense and has no prior convictions for a sex offense or any other felony sex offenses in this or any other state, the sentencing court, on its own motion or the motion of the state or the defendant, may order an examination to determine whether the defendant is amenable to treatment.
The report of the examination shall include at a minimum the following: The defendant's version of the facts and the official version of the facts, the defendant's offense history, an assessment of problems in addition to alleged deviant behaviors, the offender's social and employment situation, and other evaluation measures used. The report shall set forth the sources of the evaluator's information.
The examiner shall assess and report regarding the defendant's amenability to treatment and relative risk to the community. A proposed treatment plan shall be provided and shall include, at a minimum:
(A) Frequency and type of contact between offender and therapist;
(B) Specific issues to be addressed in the treatment and description of planned treatment modalities;
(C) Monitoring plans, including any requirements regarding living conditions, lifestyle requirements, and monitoring by family members and others;
(D) Anticipated length of treatment; and
(E) Recommended crime-related prohibitions.
The court on its own motion may order, or on a motion by the state shall order, a second examination regarding the offender's amenability to treatment. The evaluator shall be selected by the party making the motion. The defendant shall pay the cost of any second examination ordered unless the court finds the defendant to be indigent in which case the state shall pay the cost.
(ii) After receipt of the reports, the court shall consider whether the offender and the community will benefit from use of this special sexual offender sentencing alternative and consider the victim's opinion whether the offender should receive a treatment disposition under this subsection. If the court determines that this special sex offender sentencing alternative is appropriate, the court shall then impose a sentence within the sentence range. If this sentence is less than eight years of confinement, the court may suspend the execution of the sentence and impose the following conditions of suspension:
(A) The court shall place the defendant on community custody for the length of the suspended sentence or three years, whichever is greater, and require the offender to comply with any conditions imposed by the department of corrections under subsection (14) of this section; and
(B) The court shall order treatment for any period up to three years in duration. The court in its discretion shall order outpatient sex offender treatment or inpatient sex offender treatment, if available. A community mental health center may not be used for such treatment unless it has an appropriate program designed for sex offender treatment. The offender shall not change sex offender treatment providers or treatment conditions without first notifying the prosecutor, the community corrections officer, and the court, and shall not change providers without court approval after a hearing if the prosecutor or community corrections officer object to the change. In addition, as conditions of the suspended sentence, the court may impose other sentence conditions including up to six months of confinement, not to exceed the sentence range of confinement for that offense, crime-related prohibitions, and requirements that the offender perform any one or more of the following:
(I) Devote time to a specific employment or occupation;
(II) Remain within prescribed geographical boundaries and notify the court or the community corrections officer prior to any change in the offender's address or employment;
(III) Report as directed to the court and a community corrections officer;
(IV) Pay all court-ordered legal financial obligations as provided in RCW 9.94A.030, perform community service work, or any combination thereof; or
(V) Make recoupment to the victim for the cost of any counseling required as a result of the offender's crime.
(iii) The sex offender therapist shall submit quarterly reports on the defendant's progress in treatment to the court and the parties. The report shall reference the treatment plan and include at a minimum the following: Dates of attendance, defendant's compliance with requirements, treatment activities, the defendant's relative progress in treatment, and any other material as specified by the court at sentencing.
(iv) At the time of sentencing, the court shall set a treatment termination hearing for three months prior to the anticipated date for completion of treatment. Prior to the treatment termination hearing, the treatment professional and community corrections officer shall submit written reports to the court and parties regarding the defendant's compliance with treatment and monitoring requirements, and recommendations regarding termination from treatment, including proposed community supervision conditions. Either party may request and the court may order another evaluation regarding the advisability of termination from treatment. The defendant shall pay the cost of any additional evaluation ordered unless the court finds the defendant to be indigent in which case the state shall pay the cost. At the treatment termination hearing the court may: (A) Modify conditions of community custody, and either (B) terminate treatment, or (C) extend treatment for up to the remaining period of community custody.
(v) If a violation of conditions occurs during community custody, the department shall either impose sanctions as provided for in RCW 9.94A.205(2)(a) or refer the violation to the court and recommend revocation of the suspended sentence as provided for in (a)(vi) of this subsection.
(vi) The court may revoke the suspended sentence at any time during the period of community custody and order execution of the sentence if: (A) The defendant violates the conditions of the suspended sentence, or (B) the court finds that the defendant is failing to make satisfactory progress in treatment. All confinement time served during the period of community custody shall be credited to the offender if the suspended sentence is revoked.
(vii) Except as provided in (a) (viii) of this subsection, after July 1, 1991, examinations and treatment ordered pursuant to this subsection shall only be conducted by sex offender treatment providers certified by the department of health pursuant to chapter 18.155 RCW.
(viii) A sex offender therapist who examines or treats a sex offender pursuant to this subsection (8) does not have to be certified by the department of health pursuant to chapter 18.155 RCW if the court finds that: (A) The offender has already moved to another state or plans to move to another state for reasons other than circumventing the certification requirements; (B) no certified providers are available for treatment within a reasonable geographical distance of the offender's home; and (C) the evaluation and treatment plan comply with this subsection (8) and the rules adopted by the department of health.
For purposes of this subsection, "victim" means any person who has sustained emotional, psychological, physical, or financial injury to person or property as a result of the crime charged. "Victim" also means a parent or guardian of a victim who is a minor child unless the parent or guardian is the perpetrator of the offense.
(b) When an offender commits any felony sex offense on or after July 1, 1987, and is sentenced to a term of confinement of more than one year but less than six years, the sentencing court may, on its own motion or on the motion of the offender or the state, request the department of corrections to evaluate whether the offender is amenable to treatment and the department may place the offender in a treatment program within a correctional facility operated by the department.
Except for an offender who has been convicted of a violation of RCW 9A.44.040 or 9A.44.050, if the offender completes the treatment program before the expiration of his or her term of confinement, the department of corrections may request the court to convert the balance of confinement to community supervision and to place conditions on the offender including crime-related prohibitions and requirements that the offender perform any one or more of the following:
(i) Devote time to a specific employment or occupation;
(ii) Remain within prescribed geographical boundaries and notify the court or the community corrections officer prior to any change in the offender's address or employment;
(iii) Report as directed to the court and a community corrections officer;
(iv) Undergo available outpatient treatment.
If the offender violates any of the terms of his or her community supervision, the court may order the offender to serve out the balance of his or her community supervision term in confinement in the custody of the department of corrections.
Nothing in this subsection (8)(b) shall confer eligibility for such programs for offenders convicted and sentenced for a sex offense committed prior to July 1, 1987. This subsection (8)(b) does not apply to any crime committed after July 1, 1990.
(c) Offenders convicted and sentenced for a sex offense committed prior to July 1, 1987, may, subject to available funds, request an evaluation by the department of corrections to determine whether they are amenable to treatment. If the offender is determined to be amenable to treatment, the offender may request placement in a treatment program within a correctional facility operated by the department. Placement in such treatment program is subject to available funds.
(9)(a) When a court sentences a person to a term of total confinement to the custody of the department of corrections for an offense categorized as a sex offense or a serious violent offense committed after July 1, 1988, but before July 1, 1990, assault in the second degree, assault of a child in the second degree, any crime against a person where it is determined in accordance with RCW 9.94A.125 that the defendant or an accomplice was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of commission, or any felony offense under chapter 69.50 or 69.52 RCW not sentenced under subsection (6) of this section, committed on or after July 1, 1988, the court shall in addition to the other terms of the sentence, sentence the offender to a one-year term of community placement beginning either upon completion of the term of confinement or at such time as the offender is transferred to community custody in lieu of earned early release in accordance with RCW 9.94A.150 (1) and (2). When the court sentences an offender under this subsection to the statutory maximum period of confinement then the community placement portion of the sentence shall consist entirely of such community custody to which the offender may become eligible, in accordance with RCW 9.94A.150 (1) and (2). Any period of community custody actually served shall be credited against the community placement portion of the sentence.
(b) When a court sentences a person to a term of total confinement to the custody of the department of corrections for an offense categorized as a sex offense committed on or after July 1, 1990, but before June 6, 1996, a serious violent offense, vehicular homicide, or vehicular assault, committed on or after July 1, 1990, the court shall in addition to other terms of the sentence, sentence the offender to community placement for two years or up to the period of earned early release awarded pursuant to RCW 9.94A.150 (1) and (2), whichever is longer. The community placement shall begin either upon completion of the term of confinement or at such time as the offender is transferred to community custody in lieu of earned early release in accordance with RCW 9.94A.150 (1) and (2). When the court sentences an offender under this subsection to the statutory maximum period of confinement then the community placement portion of the sentence shall consist entirely of the community custody to which the offender may become eligible, in accordance with RCW 9.94A.150 (1) and (2). Any period of community custody actually served shall be credited against the community placement portion of the sentence. Unless a condition is waived by the court, the terms of community placement for offenders sentenced pursuant to this section shall include the following conditions:
(i) The offender shall report to and be available for contact with the assigned community corrections officer as directed;
(ii) The offender shall work at department of corrections-approved education, employment, and/or community service;
(iii) The offender shall not consume controlled substances except pursuant to lawfully issued prescriptions;
(iv) An offender in community custody shall not unlawfully possess controlled substances;
(v) The offender shall pay supervision fees as determined by the department of corrections; and
(vi) The residence location and living arrangements are subject to the prior approval of the department of corrections during the period of community placement.
(c) As a part of any sentence imposed under (a) or (b) of this subsection, the court may also order any of the following special conditions:
(i) The offender shall remain within, or outside of, a specified geographical boundary;
(ii) The offender shall not have direct or indirect contact with the victim of the crime or a specified class of individuals;
(iii) The offender shall participate in crime-related treatment or counseling services;
(iv) The offender shall not consume alcohol;
(v) The offender shall comply with any crime-related prohibitions; or
(vi) For an offender convicted of a felony sex offense against a minor victim after June 6, 1996, the offender shall comply with any terms and conditions of community placement imposed by the department of corrections relating to contact between the sex offender and a minor victim or a child of similar age or circumstance as a previous victim.
(d) Prior to transfer to, or during, community placement, any conditions of community placement may be removed or modified so as not to be more restrictive by the sentencing court, upon recommendation of the department of corrections.
(10)(a) When a court sentences a person to the custody of the department of corrections for an offense categorized as a sex offense committed on or after June 6, 1996, the court shall, in addition to other terms of the sentence, sentence the offender to community custody for three years or up to the period of earned early release awarded pursuant to RCW 9.94A.150 (1) and (2), whichever is longer. The community custody shall begin either upon completion of the term of confinement or at such time as the offender is transferred to community custody in lieu of earned early release in accordance with RCW 9.94A.150 (1) and (2).
(b) Unless a condition is waived by the court, the terms of community custody shall be the same as those provided for in subsection (9)(b) of this section and may include those provided for in subsection (9)(c) of this section. As part of any sentence that includes a term of community custody imposed under this subsection, the court shall also require the offender to comply with any conditions imposed by the department of corrections under subsection (14) of this section.
(c) At any time prior to the completion of a sex offender's term of community custody, if the court finds that public safety would be enhanced, the court may impose and enforce an order extending any or all of the conditions imposed pursuant to this section for a period up to the maximum allowable sentence for the crime as it is classified in chapter 9A.20 RCW, regardless of the expiration of the offender's term of community custody. If a violation of a condition extended under this subsection occurs after the expiration of the offender's term of community custody, it shall be deemed a violation of the sentence for the purposes of RCW 9.94A.195 and may be punishable as contempt of court as provided for in RCW 7.21.040.
(11) If the court imposes a sentence requiring confinement of thirty days or less, the court may, in its discretion, specify that the sentence be served on consecutive or intermittent days. A sentence requiring more than thirty days of confinement shall be served on consecutive days. Local jail administrators may schedule court-ordered intermittent sentences as space permits.
(12) If a sentence imposed includes payment of a legal financial obligation, the sentence shall specify the total amount of the legal financial obligation owed, and shall require the offender to pay a specified monthly sum toward that legal financial obligation. Restitution to victims shall be paid prior to any other payments of monetary obligations. Any legal financial obligation that is imposed by the court may be collected by the department, which shall deliver the amount paid to the county clerk for credit. The offender's compliance with payment of legal financial obligations shall be supervised by the department. All monetary payments ordered shall be paid no later than ten years after the last date of release from confinement pursuant to a felony conviction or the date the sentence was entered. Independent of the department, the party or entity to whom the legal financial obligation is owed shall have the authority to utilize any other remedies available to the party or entity to collect the legal financial obligation. Nothing in this section makes the department, the state, or any of its employees, agents, or other persons acting on their behalf liable under any circumstances for the payment of these legal financial obligations. If an order includes restitution as one of the monetary assessments, the county clerk shall make disbursements to victims named in the order.
(13) Except as provided under RCW 9.94A.140(1) and 9.94A.142(1), a court may not impose a sentence providing for a term of confinement or community supervision or community placement which exceeds the statutory maximum for the crime as provided in chapter 9A.20 RCW.
(14) All offenders sentenced to terms involving community supervision, community service, community placement, or legal financial obligation shall be under the supervision of the department of corrections and shall follow explicitly the instructions and conditions of the department of corrections.
(a) The instructions shall include, at a minimum, reporting as directed to a community corrections officer, remaining within prescribed geographical boundaries, notifying the community corrections officer of any change in the offender's address or employment, and paying the supervision fee assessment.
(b) For sex offenders sentenced to terms involving community custody for crimes committed on or after June 6, 1996, the department may include, in addition to the instructions in (a) of this subsection, any appropriate conditions of supervision, including but not limited to, prohibiting the offender from having contact with any other specified individuals or specific class of individuals. The conditions authorized under this subsection (14)(b) may be imposed by the department prior to or during a sex offender's community custody term. If a violation of conditions imposed by the court or the department pursuant to subsection (10) of this section occurs during community custody, it shall be deemed a violation of community placement for the purposes of RCW 9.94A.207 and shall authorize the department to transfer an offender to a more restrictive confinement status as provided in RCW 9.94A.205. At any time prior to the completion of a sex offender's term of community custody, the department may recommend to the court that any or all of the conditions imposed by the court or the department pursuant to subsection (10) of this section be continued beyond the expiration of the offender's term of community custody as authorized in subsection (10)(c) of this section.
The department may require offenders to pay for special services rendered on or after July 25, 1993, including electronic monitoring, day reporting, and telephone reporting, dependent upon the offender's ability to pay. The department may pay for these services for offenders who are not able to pay.
(15) All offenders sentenced to terms involving community supervision, community service, or community placement under the supervision of the department of corrections shall not own, use, or possess firearms or ammunition. Offenders who own, use, or are found to be in actual or constructive possession of firearms or ammunition shall be subject to the appropriate violation process and sanctions. "Constructive possession" as used in this subsection means the power and intent to control the firearm or ammunition. "Firearm" as used in this subsection means a weapon or device from which a projectile may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder.
(16) The sentencing court shall give the offender credit for all confinement time served before the sentencing if that confinement was solely in regard to the offense for which the offender is being sentenced.
(17) A departure from the standards in RCW 9.94A.400 (1) and (2) governing whether sentences are to be served consecutively or concurrently is an exceptional sentence subject to the limitations in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, and may be appealed by the defendant or the state as set forth in RCW 9.94A.210 (2) through (6).
(18) The court shall order restitution whenever the offender is convicted of a felony that results in injury to any person or damage to or loss of property, whether the offender is sentenced to confinement or placed under community supervision, unless extraordinary circumstances exist that make restitution inappropriate in the court's judgment. The court shall set forth the extraordinary circumstances in the record if it does not order restitution.
(19) As a part of any sentence, the court may impose and enforce an order that relates directly to the circumstances of the crime for which the offender has been convicted, prohibiting the offender from having any contact with other specified individuals or a specific class of individuals for a period not to exceed the maximum allowable sentence for the crime, regardless of the expiration of the offender's term of community supervision or community placement.
(20) In any sentence of partial confinement, the court may require the defendant to serve the partial confinement in work release, in a program of home detention, on work crew, or in a combined program of work crew and home detention.
(21) All court-ordered legal financial obligations collected by the department and remitted to the county clerk shall be credited and paid where restitution is ordered. Restitution shall be paid prior to any other payments of monetary obligations.
(22) In sentencing an offender convicted of domestic violence, the sentence may also include up to two years of community supervision which, in addition to crime-related prohibitions, may include batterer treatment in a state-certified program. In setting the length and conditions of supervision, the court shall consider the existence of any no-contact, restraining, protection, or antiharassment order in which the offender is named as the respondent.
Sec. 7. RCW 9.94A.040 and 1996 c 232 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A sentencing guidelines commission is established as an agency of state government.
(2) The legislature finds that the commission, having accomplished its original statutory directive to implement this chapter, and having expertise in sentencing practice and policies, shall:
(a) Evaluate state sentencing policy, to include whether the sentencing ranges and standards are consistent with and further:
(i) The purposes of this chapter as defined in RCW 9.94A.010; and
(ii) The intent of the legislature to emphasize confinement for the violent offender and alternatives to confinement for the nonviolent offender.
The commission shall provide the governor and the legislature with its evaluation and recommendations under this subsection not later than December 1, 1996, and every two years thereafter;
(b) Recommend to the legislature revisions or modifications to the standard sentence ranges, state sentencing policy, prosecuting standards, and other standards. If implementation of the revisions or modifications would result in exceeding the capacity of correctional facilities, then the commission shall accompany its recommendation with an additional list of standard sentence ranges which are consistent with correction capacity;
(c) Study the existing criminal code and from time to time make recommendations to the legislature for modification;
(d)(i) Serve as a clearinghouse and information center for the collection, preparation, analysis, and dissemination of information on state and local adult and juvenile sentencing practices; (ii) develop and maintain a computerized adult and juvenile sentencing information system by individual superior court judge consisting of offender, offense, history, and sentence information entered from judgment and sentence forms for all adult felons; and (iii) conduct ongoing research regarding adult and juvenile sentencing guidelines, use of total confinement and alternatives to total confinement, plea bargaining, and other matters relating to the improvement of the adult criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system;
(e) Assume the powers and duties of the juvenile disposition standards commission after June 30, 1996;
(f) Evaluate the effectiveness of existing disposition standards and related statutes in implementing policies set forth in RCW 13.40.010 generally, specifically review the guidelines relating to the confinement of minor and first offenders as well as the use of diversion, and review the application of current and proposed juvenile sentencing standards and guidelines for potential adverse impacts on the sentencing outcomes of racial and ethnic minority youth;
(g) Solicit the comments and suggestions of the juvenile justice community concerning disposition standards, and make recommendations to the legislature regarding revisions or modifications of the standards in accordance with RCW 9.94A.045. The evaluations shall be submitted to the legislature on December 1 of each odd-numbered year. The department of social and health services shall provide the commission with available data concerning the implementation of the disposition standards and related statutes and their effect on the performance of the department's responsibilities relating to juvenile offenders, and with recommendations for modification of the disposition standards. The office of the administrator for the courts shall provide the commission with available data on diversion and dispositions of juvenile offenders under chapter 13.40 RCW; and
(h) Not later than December 1, 1997, and at least every two years thereafter, based on available information, report to the governor and the legislature on:
(i) Racial disproportionality in juvenile and adult sentencing;
(ii) The capacity of state and local juvenile and adult facilities and resources; and
(iii) Recidivism information on adult and juvenile offenders.
(3) Each of the commission's recommended standard sentence ranges shall include one or more of the following: Total confinement, partial confinement, community supervision, community service, and a fine.
(4) The standard sentence ranges of total and partial confinement under this chapter are subject to the following limitations:
(a) If the maximum term in the range is one year or less, the minimum term in the range shall be no less than one-third of the maximum term in the range, except that if the maximum term in the range is ninety days or less, the minimum term may be less than one-third of the maximum;
(b) If the maximum term in the range is greater than one year, the minimum term in the range shall be no less than seventy-five percent of the maximum term in the range; and
(c) The maximum term of confinement in a range may not exceed the statutory maximum for the crime as provided in RCW 9A.20.021.
(5) The sentencing guidelines commission shall study and establish nonbinding guidelines for the imposition of court-ordered batterer treatment in a state-certified program as part of the sentence of a person convicted of domestic violence. The guidelines shall address the different types of relationships that fall under the definition of "domestic violence." The commission shall consult with the Washington state coalition against domestic violence, the Washington association of domestic violence perpetrator intervention professionals, and associations of superior court judges, district and municipal court judges, misdemeanant probation, prosecuting attorneys, and defense attorneys. The commission shall present its recommendations to the 1998 legislature.
(6) The commission shall exercise its duties under this section in conformity with chapter 34.05 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 40.24 RCW to read as follows:
A program participant, or an individual authorized under RCW 40.24.030 to apply on behalf of that participant, may request that the department of health not make a birth certificate and other records filed under chapter 70.58 RCW containing the name of or other identifying information about that program participant available for public inspection or copying except as provided under section 9 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A new section is added to chapter 70.58 RCW to read as follows:
Upon request by a program participant or on behalf of a program participant under section 8 of this act, the department shall not make a birth certificate and other records filed under this chapter containing the name of or other identifying information about that program participant available for public inspection and copying except under the following circumstances:
(1) To a law enforcement agency when requested by that agency in accordance with rules adopted by the secretary of state under chapter 40.24 RCW;
(2) If directed by a court order, to the person identified in that order; or
(3) For legitimate research proposals reviewed and approved by an institutional review board in accordance with chapter 42.48 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. Sections 8 and 9 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect immediately.
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