BILL REQ. #:  S-2168.3 

READ FIRST TIME 02/28/07.   

     AN ACT Relating to gang-related offenses; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the people of Washington state face a crisis brought upon by increased gang crime and violence, which is threatening public safety in communities across the state. Those who live in communities where gang membership is on the rise find themselves living with the daily threat of intimidation and harassment. Ordinary citizens are increasingly vulnerable to gang-related crimes such as drug dealing, damage to real property, theft of personal property and automobiles, or even assault, rape, and murder. Even those not directly affected by gang-related crime, share in the indirect costs such as lower property values, higher insurance premiums, and the endangerment of our youth. Moreover, our first responders find themselves increasingly vulnerable to personal injury or death when responding to gang-related crimes such as drug dealing, assault, driving without a license, or attempting to elude a police vehicle.
     It is the intent of the legislature to establish a work group to evaluate and make legislative recommendations regarding the problem of gang-related crime in Washington state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The office of the attorney general is directed to establish a work group to evaluate the problem of gang-related crime in Washington state. Members shall include one member from each of the two largest caucuses in the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one member from each of the two largest caucuses in the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, representatives of local law enforcement, prosecutors and municipal attorneys, criminal defense attorneys, court administrators, prison or detention administrators and probation officers, and experts in gang or delinquency prevention including the governor's juvenile justice advisory committee. The work group shall evaluate and make recommendations regarding additional legislative measures to combat gang-related crime, the creation of a statewide gang information database, possible reforms to the juvenile justice system for gang-related juvenile offenses, best practices for prevention and intervention of youth gang membership, and the adoption of legislation authorizing a civil antigang injunction. The office of the attorney general shall report back to the legislature on its findings and the recommendations of the work group or groups on or before January 1, 2008.