Sex Offenders

crime and punishment

Preventing the victimization of children by sex predators is a top priority for Democrats this session. Senate Democrats have introduced a comprehensive package of legislation that will have a real impact on the safety of our communities. It offers tough yet sensible solutions that will punish offenders, prevent future victims, and increase the ability of police to crackdown on offenders. Our legislation was crafted in close consultation with law enforcement, prosecutors, and victims. It also incorporates many of the recommendations of the 2005 Sex Offender Management Task Force, a coalition of bipartisan legislators, attorneys, law enforcement, victims’ advocates, and school and corrections officials who provided a sound voice and thoughtful insight to this complex and often volatile issue.

The frequently cited “Jessica’s Law” of Florida (named after 9-year old Jessica Lunsford, who was kidnapped, brutally assaulted and murdered by a sexual predator) has been hailed by many as the toughest law yet in dealing with sex offenders.

Washington has in place:

• The Community Protection Act of 1990 - Required sex and kidnapping offenders to register with police.
• Community notification - Washington was the first state to require community notification, providing citizens with information when sex offenders move into their neighborhoods.
• Mandating civil commitment - Again, Washington led the way in mandating civil commitment for violent sexual predators as a way to keep dangerous sex offenders off the street after they have served their prison sentence.
• Two-strikes for sex offenders - Since 1996, two convictions of a violent sex offense has meant life in prison.
• Determinate plus sentencing for sex offenders - The 2001 Legislature created a sex offender “determinate-plus” law. Under this law, sex offenders who commit certain sex crimes get a minimum sentence and a maximum sentence of life, along with lifetime supervision in the community upon release. If the same offender is later convicted of another sex crime, the offender will be returned to prison for the rest of that life term and is ineligible for release.

Senate Democrats’ legislative proposals include:

• Better tracking of known offenders through the creation of electronic monitoring programs for certain sex offenders, using global positioning technology.
• Tightening requirements for registration, including those offenders moving in from out of state, and increasing penalties for failing to properly register as a sex offender.
• Increasing penalties for sex offenses against children, including serious and violent crimes committed with sexual motivation and those using child pornography.
• Prohibiting child sex offenders from working or volunteering in positions with children.
• Promoting community safety through collaborative education and training.
• Increasing penalties for those aiding offenders to avoid registration and other requirements.
• Helping victims by increasing the Victim’s Services Fund, providing prosecutors with more victim witness interviewers, and funding a variety of victim’s services and education programs.
• Aiding law enforcement and prosecutors through expanded use of DNA testing

Senate Democrats, working closely with victims, law enforcement and prosecutors, will enact legislation that will protect kids, prevent future crimes and convict offenders. Our goal is to ensure public safety and protect our kids to the greatest extent possible.