Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee

HB 2305

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: Concerning firearms laws concerning persons subject to vulnerable adult protection orders.

Sponsors: Representatives Doglio, Pollet and Appleton.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes a court when issuing a vulnerable adult protection order to order the respondent to surrender firearms, dangerous weapons, and any concealed pistol license under certain circumstances.

  • Provides that a person who possesses a firearm while subject to a vulnerable adult protection order that meets specified qualifying factors is guilty of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the second degree.

Hearing Date: 1/29/20

Staff: Edie Adams (786-7180).

Background:

Order to Surrender Weapons.

A person who is subject to a protection order, restraining order, or no-contact order may be required to surrender the person's firearms, dangerous weapons, and concealed pistol license (CPL) while the order is in place. This applies to the following types of protective orders:

In entering a protective order, if the person to be restrained has used or threatened to use a firearm in the commission of a felony, or is otherwise disqualified from having a firearm, the court either may or must require the person to surrender the person's firearms, dangerous weapons, and any CPL, depending on the evidence presented. A court must order the surrender of firearms, dangerous weapons, and any CPL when entering a protective order involving intimate partners that meets certain qualifying criteria. In addition, the court may order surrender where the person's possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon presents a serious and imminent threat to public health or safety, or to the health or safety of any individual.

A person is guilty of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the second degree if the person possesses a firearm during any period of time the person is subject to a qualifying protection order, restraining order, or no-contact order. A qualifying order is one that was entered after notice and an opportunity to respond, that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening the protected person or the person's or protected person's child, and that includes either:

Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders.

Vulnerable adults are people 60 years of age or older who cannot care for themselves, and persons who are legally incapacitated, have developmental disabilities, are admitted to facilities, or are receiving services from certain care agencies.

A vulnerable adult who is suffering from abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect may petition the superior court for an order for protection. An interested person acting on behalf of the vulnerable adult may also seek a protection order for the vulnerable adult. A petition must allege that the person is a vulnerable adult who has been abandoned, abused, financially exploited, or neglected, or is threatened with abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect. The petition must be accompanied by affidavit stating the specific facts and circumstances that demonstrate the need for relief.

The court may issue a vulnerable adult protection order for a specified period of time that may not exceed one year. The court may order any relief it deems necessary to protect the vulnerable adult, including:

Summary of Bill:

When issuing a vulnerable adult protection order, a court must consider whether the respondent should be ordered to surrender firearms, weapons, and any concealed pistol license. The court either may or must order the respondent under a vulnerable adult protection order to surrender firearms, weapons, and any concealed pistol license according to the standards that apply for the surrender of firearms and weapons when entering other protective orders.

A person is guilty of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the second degree if the person possesses a firearm while subject to a qualifying vulnerable adult protection order that meets the same criteria that apply with respect to other qualifying protective orders covered under the crime of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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