| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Judiciary Committee | |
HB 1431
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Title: An act relating to certificates of discharge.
Brief Description: Changing certificate of discharge requirements.
Sponsors: Representatives Goodman, Lantz, O'Brien, Rodne, Moeller and Hasegawa; by request of Secretary of State.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/30/07
Staff: Bill Perry (786-7123).
Background:
When a felony offender has completed any term of confinement and has complied with all
requirements of his or her sentence, he or she is issued a certificate of discharge. In the case of
an offender sentenced under the Sentencing Reform Act, the court that sentenced the offender
issues the certificate. In the case of an offender under the jurisdiction of the Indeterminate
Sentence Review Board, the board issues the certificate.
Copies of certificates of discharge are to be sent to county auditors. The law directs the
Department of Corrections to create and maintain a database of certificates of discharge. A law
passed in 2005 relating to voter registration also requires the Secretary of State to maintain a
record of all discharges. The Secretary of State is to use these records to maintain a statewide
voter registration list.
Judicial issuance of a certificate of discharge is processed through the county clerk. The
Administrative Office of the Courts maintains records of criminal sentences, including
discharges, that are supplied by the county clerks. The same law that requires the Secretary of
State to maintain a record of discharges also requires that the statewide voter registration list
database be coordinated with lists from other agencies, including the Administrative Office of
the Courts.
Summary of Bill:
The requirements for a certificate of discharge database in the Department of Corrections and in
the Secretary of State's office are eliminated. The requirement that copies of certificates of
discharge be sent to county auditors is eliminated. Each certificate is to be filed with the county
clerk in the county of the sentencing court.
The county clerks are required to enter the names of discharged felons into a database
maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.