HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No.  SB 5772

Strengthening confidentiality for victims of domestic violence.

Brief Title                              Hearing Date: 3/31/99

Senators Gardner, T. Sheldon, and Rasmussen Staff:  Scott MacColl

Sponsor(s)                          State Government Committee

                                              Phone:  786-7106

BACKGROUND:

The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) is designed to help persons attempting to escape from actual or threatened domestic violence or sexual assault. These persons establish new addresses in order to prevent their abusers from finding them by using a substitute mailing address through the Secretary of State=s office. 

The ACP protects abused people=s records from public disclosure as long as they are participants in the program.  However, records must be disclosed if requested by a law enforcement agency, under a court order, when a person=s certification in the program is canceled, and to verify the participation of a specific program participant, but only to confirm information supplied by the requestor.

Cancellation from the program results from a participant legally changing his or her name; a change in the participant=s address without notification to the Secretary of State; if mail forwarded by the Secretary of State is returned as undeliverable; and if a program applicant applies using false information.

SUMMARY:

Records of program participants who=s certification has been canceled are no longer subject to public disclosure when they leave the program.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes affect immediately.