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Law & Justice
Methamphetamine and Identity Theft
On Wednesday, January 24 at 9 am, the House Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee will hold a work session on how methamphetamine is affecting communities and on the increase of identity theft in Washington. These issues were raised frequently during discussions in AWC’s Legislative Committee process this fall.
Donating Unclaimed Property (HB 1268/SB 5193)
These companion measures would allow unclaimed property in the possession of local law enforcement or the Washington State Patrol to be donated to benefit needy people. Current law allows the donation of bicycles and toys, but other unclaimed property must be destroyed. These bills are supported by AWC.
HB 1268, sponsored by Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland) will be heard on Tuesday, January 23 at 1:30 pm in the House Local Government Committee. The Senate companion, SB 5198 sponsored by Senator Dale Brandland (R-Bellingham) is scheduled before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, January 23 at 10 am.
AWC Priority Issue:
Limiting Emergency Worker Immunity (SB 5054)
SB 5054, sponsored by Senator Jim Kastama (D-Puyallup) and requested by the Washington State Military Department, provides that no act or omission by a covered volunteer emergency worker while engaged in a covered activity shall impose any liability for civil damages resulting from such an act or omission.
This protection applies only when the covered volunteer emergency worker was engaged in a covered activity within the scope of his or her assigned duties; under the direction of a local emergency management organization or the department, or a local law enforcement agency for search and rescue; and if the act or omission does not constitute gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. AWC has expressed our support for this proposal, and will be signing in during the hearing.
Electronic Monitoring of Sex Offenders (HB 1133)
While we had expected that no additional legislation would be introduced on this topic after last session’s focus on this issue, the Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee will hold a hearing on HB 1133 on Thursday, January 25 at 10 am. HB 1133 would require the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to conduct a study of the current state of technology for using radio frequency identification or other similar technology to electronically monitor sex offenders, and the future costs and benefits of using this technology compared to current methods of monitoring sex offenders.
This bill gives the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) additional authority over offenders under their jurisdiction. Under the bill, the ISRB would retain jurisdiction to issue a certificate of discharge after the expiration of certain offenders’ or parolees’ maximum statutory sentences. If not granted earlier, the board would issue a final order of discharge three years from the date of parole if legal financial obligations are paid, unless the parolee is on suspended or revoked status.
The additional authority also allows the ISRB to sentence violators to sixty days in a local jail. This is not expected to impact cities. The ISRB has a small number of offenders under its jurisdiction, and Department of Corrections would be required to reimburse jurisdictions for that jail expense.
HB 1221 will be heard in the House Human Services Committee on Thursday, January 25 at 1:30 pm.
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