HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 1134

Title:  An act relating to child abandonment.

Brief Description:  Creating a rebuttable presumption of recklessness when a young child is left alone for more than an hour.

Sponsors:  Representatives Scott, O'Brien, Ballasiotes, Lambert, Kessler, Stensen, Lovick, Keiser, Cooper, Hurst, Lantz, Ogden, Ruderman, Esser and Conway.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONS

Staff:  Jean Ann Quinn (786-7310).

Background:

A parent or other person responsible for a child or dependent person is guilty of Aabandonment of a dependent person in the third degree@ C  a gross misdemeanor C  if he or she recklessly abandons the child or dependent person and that child or dependent person suffers bodily harm as a result or is put at imminent and substantial risk of suffering substantial bodily harm as a result.

Summary:

Knowingly leaving a child under age 5 unattended for a period of one hour or more creates a rebuttable presumption that the child has been recklessly abandoned under circumstances creating an imminent and substantial risk of substantial bodily harm to the child.  Leaving the child unattended means leaving him or her in a situation where it is not reasonable to believe that a responsible adult is available or could be summoned to respond to the child=s needs.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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