SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6476

As Passed Senate, February 11, 2002

Title:  An act relating to clarifying counseling costs that may be included in restitution ordered in juvenile court.

Brief Description:  Clarifying counseling costs that may be included in restitution ordered in juvenile court.

Sponsors:  Senators Costa, Long, Kohl‑Welles, Carlson, Eide, Spanel, Snyder, Jacobsen and Gardner.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  1/25/02 [DP].

Passed Senate:  2/11/02, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Costa, Vice Chair; Carlson, Franklin, Hewitt, Kastama, Kohl‑Welles, Long and Stevens.

Staff:  Tony Rugel (786‑7754)

Background:  The most recent version of RCW 13.40.020 has been interpreted by some courts to only allow for restitution of a victim's counseling costs if the offense was a sex offense.  In addition, the word "victim" was not clearly defined in RCW 13.40.020.

Summary of Bill:  Restitution of the victim's counseling costs is allowed in all criminal cases. A definition of "victim" is added to the juvenile crime statutes.  The definition includes those who have sustained injury as a direct result of the crime charged and also the parent or guardian of a victim who is a minor child so long as the parent or guardian is not the perpetrator.  Adding this definition creates consistency between the adult and juvenile criminal restitution statutes.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The Crime Victims Advocates are in favor of this bill.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Joan Guenther, Washington Coalition of Crime Victims Advocates (pro).