FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6071

                           C 66 L 00

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Increasing penalties for hit and run where an injury or death occurs.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Rossi, Johnson, McCaslin, T. Sheldon and Oke).

Senate Committee on Judiciary

House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections

House Committee on Appropriations

Background:  A vehicle operator involved in an accident is required to stop at the scene of the accident and remain there until the operator provides required information and renders reasonable assistance to injured persons.  Failure to comply is a gross misdemeanor if the accident only resulted in damage to property.  If a person is injured or killed, failure to stop is a class C felony ranked at level IV on the sentencing grid.

Summary:  In the case of an accident resulting in death, the vehicle operator who does not remain at the scene to provide information and reasonable assistance is guilty of a class B felony ranked at level VIII on the sentencing grid.  Juveniles who commit the offense are guilty of a B+ offense.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 450

House980(House amended)

Senate 450(Senate concurred)

Effective:June 8, 2000