Title: An act relating to a web site for information on fugitives.

Brief Description: Requiring the department of corrections to post on its web site information on escapees.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives P. Sullivan, Simpson and Dunn).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/11/05, 94-0.

Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 3/28/05, 3/31/05 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, McAuliffe and Thibaudeau.

Staff: Fara Daun (786-7459)

Background: Under current law the Department of Corrections (DOC) is required to notify a variety of people if an offender convicted of a serious drug offense, violent offense, homicide, sex offense, or felony harassment offense escapes. The notifications vary depending on the offense but include law enforcement and, upon request, include victims and the next of kin of a homicide victim, witnesses against the offender, and the parents of a witness, victim, or victim's next of kin who is under sixteen years old. DOC must also notify these persons if the offender is recaptured.

The sentencing reform act defines "escape" to include: escape in the first or second degree; willful failure to return from furlough; willful failure to return from work release; willful failure to be available for supervision by the department in the community; and sexually violent predator escape. It also includes any out-of-state, federal, or juvenile equivalent offense. Willful failure to return from furlough and work release are included within escape in the first degree if the underlying crime was a felony, and within escape in the second degree if the underlying crime was not a felony.

Summary of Amended Bill: DOC must create a list on its website of high risk inmates who have escaped from facilities it owns or contracts for. The list excludes persons who escape from work release or supervision in the community. DOC must maintain the list to remove persons whose status has been resolved.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: The amended bill limits the list to persons escaping from institutions and requires the list to be maintained.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: None.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: No one.