HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2425

Brief Description: Changing definition of the crime of assault of a child in the second degree.

Sponsors:  Representatives Schoesler and Buck.

Hearing:  January 25, 2000

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONS

Staff:  Jean Ann Quinn (786-7310).

BACKGROUND:

The crime of assault of a child applies to an adult age 18 or older who assaults a child under the age of 13.  

Assault of a child in the second degree is committed if the adult commits:  1) second-degree assault against the child; or 2) intentionally assaults the child and causes bodily harm that is greater than transient pain or minor temporary marks and the person has previously engaged in a pattern or practice of assaulting the child or of causing the child pain or agony equivalent to that produced by torture.  Assault of a child in the second degree is a class B, seriousness level IX crime, which has a presumptive sentence range of 31-41 months for an offender with no prior criminal history.

SUMMARY OF BILL:

Assault of a child in the second degree is also committed by knowingly manufacturing methamphetamine, or knowingly possessing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, in or within 100 feet of the residence of a child.  Child includes an unborn quick child.

FISCAL NOTE:  Requested on January 19, 2000.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.