House sends package of community safety bills to governor

Sex offenders, drunken drivers, gangs and toxic toys all targeted

March 11, 2008 

OLYMPIA – The House today approved five public safety proposals now just a governor’s signature away from becoming state law.  The bills target a variety of safety issues, including drunken driving and sex offenders.

DNA samples from criminals
Rep. Larry Seaquist’s, D-Gig Harbor, DNA collection legislation, HB 2713, will bolster the database maintained by the Washington State Patrol.  It’s also Gov. Chris Gregoire request legislation.

“By collecting DNA samples from people when they are convicted of a number of different crimes, we can help our law enforcement professionals rapidly identify the repeat offenders," Seaquist said.  "This broader DNA collection will speed up investigations, put more criminals behind bars, make our communities safer and by acting as a deterrent, will help with prevention.”

Level I sex offenders
Rep. Troy Kelley, D-University Place, prime-sponsored HB 2786, adding Level I sex offenders failing to register with law enforcement, to the state’s sex offender registry website.

“The sex offenders this bill targets, the ones failing to register, have made it clear that they don’t want to be found,” Kelley said.  “Parents checking for offenders in their neighborhood need to know about these guys because these offenders are a real risk.”

DUI offenders
About 100 lives could be saved by Rep. Roger Goodman’s, D-Kirkland, proposal, HB 3254, to expand the use of alcohol-detecting devices in known drunken drivers’ cars.

“By getting smart and tough on drunken drivers, we can substantially cut our largest public safety threat,” Goodman said.  “We know suspending licenses doesn’t work; 75 percent of suspended-license drivers hit the road anyway.  Ignition interlock devices will hold drunken drivers accountable and save lives.”

Toxic toys
Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, is the lead sponsor of the measure, HB 2647, to protect children against toxic chemicals in toys and other children’s products.

“This is great news for the kids who will be protected against toxic toys and great news for parents who won’t have to worry whether the toys and other products they buy for their kids are safe,” Dickerson said.  “I’m proud the Legislature put the safety of children first.”

Criminal street gangs
Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Greenwater, is the prime sponsor of The Anti-Gang Act, HB 2712.  The bill includes funds for prevention, suppression, and intervention of criminal street gang activity, as well as clean-up of gang graffiti.  

"Gangs are on the rise in every corner of Washington state," said Hurst, a retired detective who headed a violent-crime task force and did undercover work. "This law is how we fight back -- to prevent these gangs from terrorizing communities and to stop them from recruiting kids into this dead-end life."

All five bills now await consideration by Gov. Chris Gregoire.