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Rep. Mark Ericks, serving the 1st District Serving portions of northeast King County and south Snohomish County, including areas of Bothell, Woodinville, Mountlake Terrace and Brier, as well as parts of Lynnwood and Edmonds. |
Bill ensuring sex offenders register after release from jail clears House
Erick's bill strengthens current law and keeps better tabs on sex offenders and kidnappers
March 8, 2007
OLYMPIA— Earlier today the Washington State House of Representatives unanimously supported HB 1836, which improves the existing reporting process of felons released from prison.
“Our sex offender notification laws are valuable tools in tracking and monitoring convicted sex offenders released in our communities,” said Rep. Mark Ericks (D-Bothell), the bill’s prime sponsor. “And as a former police officer and police chief, I’m certain this bill will make a crucial difference by keeping better tabs on these individuals.”
Currently, when convicted sex offenders or kidnappers are released from prison, they must register with the sheriff or police department where they live. But if the sex offender was behind bars for something other than a sex offense or kidnapping and then is released, he or she doesn’t have to register.
Ericks’ bill adds registration requirements to the law for sex offenders who have been released after serving a sentence for a non-sex, non-kidnapping offense.
HB 1836 closes a registration loophole and at the same time, gives law enforcement and the public an even better tracking tool.
The bill is now headed to the Senate for further consideration.
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Contact: Rep. Mark Ericks (D-Bothell) 360-786-7900; ericks.mark@leg.wa.gov
Print-quality photo: http://www1.leg.wa.gov/documents/house/members/photos/ericks.jpg
Radio and TV News Directors: To obtain broadcast-quality audio on this issue, or to arrange for TV or radio interviews, please contact Caucus Broadcast Coordinator Dan Frizzell at frizzell.dan@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7208.