HB 2444

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee

HB 2444

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.

Brief Description: Requiring registered sex and kidnapping offenders to submit information regarding any e-mail addresses and any web sites they create or operate.

Sponsors: Representatives Pearson, McCune, Priest, Haler, Armstrong, Kristiansen, Crouse, Rodne, Bailey, Hinkle, Hailey, Kretz, Warnick, Sump, Roach, Orcutt, Newhouse, Ahern, Alexander, Skinner, Hurst, Schindler, Walsh, Smith, Campbell, Dunn, Herrera, Kelley and McDonald.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires a registered sex or kidnapping offender to provide his or her electronic mail address and the uniform resource locator of any personal web site he or she created or operates.

Hearing Date: 1/23/08

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

Under the Community Protection Act of 1990, a sex or kidnapping offender is required to register in the county in which he or she resides. Law enforcement agencies use the information in the registry to notify the public of a sex offender's presence in the community. A sex or kidnapping offender must provide the following information when registering:

Name;
Complete residential address (a homeless offender must provide a description where he or she plans to stay);
Date and place of birth;
Place of employment;
Crime of conviction;
Date and place of conviction;
Aliases used;
Social Security number;
Photograph; and
Fingerprints.

Summary of Bill:

A registered sex or kidnapping offender must, when registering, provide his or her electronic mail address and the uniform resource locator of any personal web site he or she created or operates.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 16, 2008.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.