(1)(a) Any adult
or juvenile residing whether or not the person has a fixed
residence, or who is a student, is employed, or carries on a
vocation in this state who has been found to have committed or
has been convicted of any sex offense or kidnapping offense, or
who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity under chapter 10.77 RCW of committing any sex offense or kidnapping offense,
shall register with the county sheriff for the county of the
person's residence, or if the person is not a resident of
Washington, the county of the person's school, or place of
employment or vocation, or as otherwise specified in this
section. Where a person required to register under this section
is in custody of the state department of corrections, the state
department of social and health services, a local division of
youth services, or a local jail or juvenile detention facility as
a result of a sex offense or kidnapping offense, the person shall
also register at the time of release from custody with an
official designated by the agency that has jurisdiction over the
person.
(b) Any adult or juvenile who is required to register under
(a) of this subsection:
(i) Who is attending, or planning to attend, a public or
private school regulated under Title 28A RCW or chapter 72.40 RCW
shall, within ten days of enrolling or prior to arriving at the
school to attend classes, whichever is earlier, notify the
sheriff for the county of the person's residence of the person's
intent to attend the school, and the sheriff shall promptly
notify the principal of the school;
(ii) Who is admitted to a public or private institution of
higher education shall, within ten days of enrolling or by the
first business day after arriving at the institution, whichever
is earlier, notify the sheriff for the county of the person's
residence of the person's intent to attend the institution;
(iii) Who gains employment at a public or private
institution of higher education shall, within ten days of
accepting employment or by the first business day after
commencing work at the institution, whichever is earlier, notify
the sheriff for the county of the person's residence of the
person's employment by the institution; or
(iv) Whose enrollment or employment at a public or private
institution of higher education is terminated shall, within ten
days of such termination, notify the sheriff for the county of
the person's residence of the person's termination of enrollment
or employment at the institution.
(c) Persons required to register under this section who are
enrolled in a public or private institution of higher education
on June 11, 1998, or a public or private school regulated under
Title 28A RCW or chapter 72.40 RCW on September 1, 2006, must
notify the county sheriff immediately.
(d) The sheriff shall notify the school's principal or
institution's department of public safety and shall provide that
department with the same information provided to a county sheriff
under subsection (3) of this section.
(e)(i) A principal receiving notice under this subsection
must disclose the information received from the sheriff under (b)
of this subsection as follows:
(A) If the student who is required to register as a sex
offender is classified as a risk level II or III, the principal
shall provide the information received to every teacher of any
student required to register under (a) of this subsection and to
any other personnel who, in the judgment of the principal,
supervises the student or for security purposes should be aware
of the student's record;
(B) If the student who is required to register as a sex
offender is classified as a risk level I, the principal shall
provide the information received only to personnel who, in the
judgment of the principal, for security purposes should be aware
of the student's record.
(ii) Any information received by a principal or school
personnel under this subsection is confidential and may not be
further disseminated except as provided in RCW 28A.225.330, other
statutes or case law, and the family and educational and privacy
rights act of 1994, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232g et seq.
(2) This section may not be construed to confer any powers
pursuant to RCW 4.24.550 upon the public safety department of any
public or private school or institution of higher education.
(3)(a) The person shall provide the following information
when registering: (i) Name; (ii) complete residential address;
(iii) date and place of birth; (iv) place of employment; (v)
crime for which convicted; (vi) date and place of conviction;
(vii) aliases used; (viii) social security number; (ix)
photograph; and (x) fingerprints.
(b) Any person who lacks a fixed residence shall provide the
following information when registering: (i) Name; (ii) date and
place of birth; (iii) place of employment; (iv) crime for which
convicted; (v) date and place of conviction; (vi) aliases used;
(vii) social security number; (viii) photograph; (ix)
fingerprints; and (x) where he or she plans to stay.
(4)(a) Offenders shall register with the county sheriff
within the following deadlines. For purposes of this section the
term "conviction" refers to adult convictions and juvenile
adjudications for sex offenses or kidnapping offenses:
(i) OFFENDERS IN CUSTODY. (A) Sex offenders who committed a
sex offense on, before, or after February 28, 1990, and who, on
or after July 28, 1991, are in custody, as a result of that
offense, of the state department of corrections, the state
department of social and health services, a local division of
youth services, or a local jail or juvenile detention facility,
and (B) kidnapping offenders who on or after July 27, 1997, are
in custody of the state department of corrections, the state
department of social and health services, a local division of
youth services, or a local jail or juvenile detention facility,
must register at the time of release from custody with an
official designated by the agency that has jurisdiction over the
offender. The agency shall within three days forward the
registration information to the county sheriff for the county of
the offender's anticipated residence. The offender must also
register within twenty-four hours from the time of release with
the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence, or
if the person is not a resident of Washington, the county of the
person's school, or place of employment or vocation. The agency
that has jurisdiction over the offender shall provide notice to
the offender of the duty to register. Failure to register at the
time of release and within twenty-four hours of release
constitutes a violation of this section and is punishable as
provided in subsection (11) of this section.
When the agency with jurisdiction intends to release an
offender with a duty to register under this section, and the
agency has knowledge that the offender is eligible for
developmental disability services from the department of social
and health services, the agency shall notify the division of
developmental disabilities of the release. Notice shall occur
not more than thirty days before the offender is to be released.
The agency and the division shall assist the offender in meeting
the initial registration requirement under this section. Failure
to provide such assistance shall not constitute a defense for any
violation of this section.
(ii) OFFENDERS NOT IN CUSTODY BUT UNDER STATE OR LOCAL
JURISDICTION. Sex offenders who, on July 28, 1991, are not in
custody but are under the jurisdiction of the indeterminate
sentence review board or under the department of corrections'
active supervision, as defined by the department of corrections,
the state department of social and health services, or a local
division of youth services, for sex offenses committed before,
on, or after February 28, 1990, must register within ten days of
July 28, 1991. Kidnapping offenders who, on July 27, 1997, are
not in custody but are under the jurisdiction of the
indeterminate sentence review board or under the department of
corrections' active supervision, as defined by the department of
corrections, the state department of social and health services,
or a local division of youth services, for kidnapping offenses
committed before, on, or after July 27, 1997, must register
within ten days of July 27, 1997. A change in supervision status
of a sex offender who was required to register under this
subsection (4)(a)(ii) as of July 28, 1991, or a kidnapping
offender required to register as of July 27, 1997, shall not
relieve the offender of the duty to register or to reregister
following a change in residence. The obligation to register
shall only cease pursuant to RCW 9A.44.140.
(iii) OFFENDERS UNDER FEDERAL JURISDICTION. Sex offenders
who, on or after July 23, 1995, and kidnapping offenders who, on
or after July 27, 1997, as a result of that offense are in the
custody of the United States bureau of prisons or other federal
or military correctional agency for sex offenses committed
before, on, or after February 28, 1990, or kidnapping offenses
committed on, before, or after July 27, 1997, must register
within twenty-four hours from the time of release with the county
sheriff for the county of the person's residence, or if the
person is not a resident of Washington, the county of the
person's school, or place of employment or vocation. Sex
offenders who, on July 23, 1995, are not in custody but are under
the jurisdiction of the United States bureau of prisons, United
States courts, United States parole commission, or military
parole board for sex offenses committed before, on, or after
February 28, 1990, must register within ten days of July 23,
1995. Kidnapping offenders who, on July 27, 1997, are not in
custody but are under the jurisdiction of the United States
bureau of prisons, United States courts, United States parole
commission, or military parole board for kidnapping offenses
committed before, on, or after July 27, 1997, must register
within ten days of July 27, 1997. A change in supervision status
of a sex offender who was required to register under this
subsection (4)(a)(iii) as of July 23, 1995, or a kidnapping
offender required to register as of July 27, 1997 shall not
relieve the offender of the duty to register or to reregister
following a change in residence, or if the person is not a
resident of Washington, the county of the person's school, or
place of employment or vocation. The obligation to register
shall only cease pursuant to RCW 9A.44.140.
(iv) OFFENDERS WHO ARE CONVICTED BUT NOT CONFINED. Sex
offenders who are convicted of a sex offense on or after July 28,
1991, for a sex offense that was committed on or after February
28, 1990, and kidnapping offenders who are convicted on or after
July 27, 1997, for a kidnapping offense that was committed on or
after July 27, 1997, but who are not sentenced to serve a term of
confinement immediately upon sentencing, shall report to the
county sheriff to register immediately upon completion of being
sentenced.
(v) OFFENDERS WHO ARE NEW RESIDENTS OR RETURNING WASHINGTON
RESIDENTS. Sex offenders and kidnapping offenders who move to
Washington state from another state or a foreign country that are
not under the jurisdiction of the state department of
corrections, the indeterminate sentence review board, or the
state department of social and health services at the time of
moving to Washington, must register within three business days of
establishing residence or reestablishing residence if the person
is a former Washington resident. The duty to register under this
subsection applies to sex offenders convicted under the laws of
another state or a foreign country, federal or military statutes
for offenses committed before, on, or after February 28, 1990, or
Washington state for offenses committed before, on, or after
February 28, 1990, and to kidnapping offenders convicted under
the laws of another state or a foreign country, federal or
military statutes, or Washington state for offenses committed
before, on, or after July 27, 1997. Sex offenders and kidnapping
offenders from other states or a foreign country who, when they
move to Washington, are under the jurisdiction of the department
of corrections, the indeterminate sentence review board, or the
department of social and health services must register within
twenty-four hours of moving to Washington. The agency that has
jurisdiction over the offender shall notify the offender of the
registration requirements before the offender moves to
Washington.
(vi) OFFENDERS FOUND NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY. Any
adult or juvenile who has been found not guilty by reason of
insanity under chapter 10.77 RCW of (A) committing a sex offense
on, before, or after February 28, 1990, and who, on or after July
23, 1995, is in custody, as a result of that finding, of the
state department of social and health services, or (B) committing
a kidnapping offense on, before, or after July 27, 1997, and who
on or after July 27, 1997, is in custody, as a result of that
finding, of the state department of social and health services,
must register within twenty-four hours from the time of release
with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence.
The state department of social and health services shall provide
notice to the adult or juvenile in its custody of the duty to
register. Any adult or juvenile who has been found not guilty by
reason of insanity of committing a sex offense on, before, or
after February 28, 1990, but who was released before July 23,
1995, or any adult or juvenile who has been found not guilty by
reason of insanity of committing a kidnapping offense but who was
released before July 27, 1997, shall be required to register
within twenty-four hours of receiving notice of this registration
requirement. The state department of social and health services
shall make reasonable attempts within available resources to
notify sex offenders who were released before July 23, 1995, and
kidnapping offenders who were released before July 27, 1997.
Failure to register within twenty-four hours of release, or of
receiving notice, constitutes a violation of this section and is
punishable as provided in subsection (11) of this section.
(vii) OFFENDERS WHO LACK A FIXED RESIDENCE. Any person who
lacks a fixed residence and leaves the county in which he or she
is registered and enters and remains within a new county for
twenty-four hours is required to register with the county sheriff
not more than twenty-four hours after entering the county and
provide the information required in subsection (3)(b) of this
section.
(viii) OFFENDERS WHO LACK A FIXED RESIDENCE AND WHO ARE
UNDER SUPERVISION. Offenders who lack a fixed residence and who
are under the supervision of the department shall register in the
county of their supervision.
(ix) OFFENDERS WHO MOVE TO, WORK, CARRY ON A VOCATION, OR
ATTEND SCHOOL IN ANOTHER STATE. Offenders required to register
in Washington, who move to another state, or who work, carry on a
vocation, or attend school in another state shall register a new
address, fingerprints, and photograph with the new state within
ten days after establishing residence, or after beginning to
work, carry on a vocation, or attend school in the new state.
The person must also send written notice within ten days of
moving to the new state or to a foreign country to the county
sheriff with whom the person last registered in Washington state.
The county sheriff shall promptly forward this information to the
Washington state patrol.
(b) Failure to register within the time required under this
section constitutes a per se violation of this section and is
punishable as provided in subsection (11) of this section. The
county sheriff shall not be required to determine whether the
person is living within the county.
(c) An arrest on charges of failure to register, service of
an information, or a complaint for a violation of this section,
or arraignment on charges for a violation of this section,
constitutes actual notice of the duty to register. Any person
charged with the crime of failure to register under this section
who asserts as a defense the lack of notice of the duty to
register shall register immediately following actual notice of
the duty through arrest, service, or arraignment. Failure to
register as required under this subsection (4)(c) constitutes
grounds for filing another charge of failing to register.
Registering following arrest, service, or arraignment on charges
shall not relieve the offender from criminal liability for
failure to register prior to the filing of the original charge.
(d) The deadlines for the duty to register under this
section do not relieve any sex offender of the duty to register
under this section as it existed prior to July 28, 1991.
(5)(a) If any person required to register pursuant to this
section changes his or her residence address within the same
county, the person must send signed written notice of the change
of address to the county sheriff within seventy-two hours of
moving. If any person required to register pursuant to this
section moves to a new county, the person must send signed
written notice of the change of address at least fourteen days
before moving to the county sheriff in the new county of
residence and must register with that county sheriff within
twenty-four hours of moving. The person must also send signed
written notice within ten days of the change of address in the
new county to the county sheriff with whom the person last
registered. The county sheriff with whom the person last
registered shall promptly forward the information concerning the
change of address to the county sheriff for the county of the
person's new residence. Upon receipt of notice of change of
address to a new state, the county sheriff shall promptly forward
the information regarding the change of address to the agency
designated by the new state as the state's offender registration
agency.
(b) It is an affirmative defense to a charge that the person
failed to send a notice at least fourteen days in advance of
moving as required under (a) of this subsection that the person
did not know the location of his or her new residence at least
fourteen days before moving. The defendant must establish the
defense by a preponderance of the evidence and, to prevail on the
defense, must also prove by a preponderance that the defendant
sent the required notice within twenty-four hours of determining
the new address.
(6)(a) Any person required to register under this section
who lacks a fixed residence shall provide signed written notice
to the sheriff of the county where he or she last registered
within forty-eight hours excluding weekends and holidays after
ceasing to have a fixed residence. The notice shall include the
information required by subsection (3)(b) of this section, except
the photograph and fingerprints. The county sheriff may, for
reasonable cause, require the offender to provide a photograph
and fingerprints. The sheriff shall forward this information to
the sheriff of the county in which the person intends to reside,
if the person intends to reside in another county.
(b) A person who lacks a fixed residence must report weekly,
in person, to the sheriff of the county where he or she is
registered. The weekly report shall be on a day specified by the
county sheriff's office, and shall occur during normal business
hours. The county sheriff's office may require the person to
list the locations where the person has stayed during the last
seven days. The lack of a fixed residence is a factor that may
be considered in determining an offender's risk level and shall
make the offender subject to disclosure of information to the
public at large pursuant to RCW 4.24.550.
(c) If any person required to register pursuant to this
section does not have a fixed residence, it is an affirmative
defense to the charge of failure to register, that he or she
provided written notice to the sheriff of the county where he or
she last registered within forty-eight hours excluding weekends
and holidays after ceasing to have a fixed residence and has
subsequently complied with the requirements of subsections
(4)(a)(vii) or (viii) and (6) of this section. To prevail, the
person must prove the defense by a preponderance of the evidence.
(7) All offenders who are required to register pursuant to
this section who have a fixed residence and who are designated as
a risk level II or III must report, in person, every ninety days
to the sheriff of the county where he or she is registered.
Reporting shall be on a day specified by the county sheriff's
office, and shall occur during normal business hours. An
offender who complies with the ninety-day reporting requirement
with no violations for a period of at least five years in the
community may petition the superior court to be relieved of the
duty to report every ninety days. The petition shall be made to
the superior court in the county where the offender resides or
reports under this section. The prosecuting attorney of the
county shall be named and served as respondent in any such
petition. The court shall relieve the petitioner of the duty to
report if the petitioner shows, by a preponderance of the
evidence, that the petitioner has complied with the reporting
requirement for a period of at least five years and that the
offender has not been convicted of a criminal violation of this
section for a period of at least five years, and the court
determines that the reporting no longer serves a public safety
purpose. Failure to report, as specified, constitutes a
violation of this section and is punishable as provided in
subsection (11) of this section.
(8) A sex offender subject to registration requirements
under this section who applies to change his or her name under
RCW 4.24.130 or any other law shall submit a copy of the
application to the county sheriff of the county of the person's
residence and to the state patrol not fewer than five days before
the entry of an order granting the name change. No sex offender
under the requirement to register under this section at the time
of application shall be granted an order changing his or her name
if the court finds that doing so will interfere with legitimate
law enforcement interests, except that no order shall be denied
when the name change is requested for religious or legitimate
cultural reasons or in recognition of marriage or dissolution of
marriage. A sex offender under the requirement to register under
this section who receives an order changing his or her name shall
submit a copy of the order to the county sheriff of the county of
the person's residence and to the state patrol within five days
of the entry of the order.
(9) The county sheriff shall obtain a photograph of the
individual and shall obtain a copy of the individual's
fingerprints. A photograph may be taken at any time to update an
individual's file.
(10) For the purpose of RCW 9A.44.130, 10.01.200, 43.43.540,
70.48.470, and 72.09.330:
(a) "Sex offense" means:
(i) Any offense defined as a sex offense by RCW 9.94A.030;
(ii) Any violation under RCW 9A.44.096 (sexual misconduct
with a minor in the second degree);
(iii) Any violation under RCW 9.68A.090 (communication with
a minor for immoral purposes);
(iv) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense
that under the laws of this state would be classified as a sex
offense under this subsection; and
(v) Any gross misdemeanor that is, under chapter 9A.28 RCW,
a criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy
to commit an offense that is classified as a sex offense under
RCW 9.94A.030 or this subsection.
(b) "Kidnapping offense" means: (i) The crimes of
kidnapping in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree,
and unlawful imprisonment, as defined in chapter 9A.40 RCW, where
the victim is a minor and the offender is not the minor's parent;
(ii) any offense that is, under chapter 9A.28 RCW, a criminal
attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit
an offense that is classified as a kidnapping offense under this
subsection (10)(b); and (iii) any federal or out-of-state
conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would
be classified as a kidnapping offense under this subsection
(10)(b).
(c) "Employed" or "carries on a vocation" means employment
that is full-time or part-time for a period of time exceeding
fourteen days, or for an aggregate period of time exceeding
thirty days during any calendar year. A person is employed or
carries on a vocation whether the person's employment is
financially compensated, volunteered, or for the purpose of
government or educational benefit.
(d) "Student" means a person who is enrolled, on a full-time
or part-time basis, in any public or private educational
institution. An educational institution includes any secondary
school, trade or professional institution, or institution of
higher education.
(11)(a) A person who knowingly fails to comply with any of
the requirements of this section is guilty of a class C felony if
the crime for which the individual was convicted was a felony sex
offense as defined in subsection (10)(a) of this section or a
federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the
laws of this state would be a felony sex offense as defined in
subsection (10)(a) of this section.
(b) If the crime for which the individual was convicted was
other than a felony or a federal or out-of-state conviction for
an offense that under the laws of this state would be other than
a felony, violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.
(12)(a) A person who knowingly fails to comply with any of
the requirements of this section is guilty of a class C felony if
the crime for which the individual was convicted was a felony
kidnapping offense as defined in subsection (10)(b) of this
section or a federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense
that under the laws of this state would be a felony kidnapping
offense as defined in subsection (10)(b) of this section.
(b) If the crime for which the individual was convicted was
other than a felony or a federal or out-of-state conviction for
an offense that under the laws of this state would be other than
a felony, violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.
(13) Except as may otherwise be provided by law, nothing in
this section shall impose any liability upon a peace officer,
including a county sheriff, or law enforcement agency, for
failing to release information authorized under this section.
[2006 c 129 § 2; (2006 c 129 § 1 expired September 1, 2006); 2006 c 128 § 2; (2006 c 128 § 1 expired September 1, 2006); 2006 c 127 § 2; 2006 c 126 § 2; (2006 c 126 § 1 expired September 1, 2006); 2005 c 380 § 1. Prior: 2003 c 215 § 1; 2003 c 53 § 68; 2002 c 31 § 1; prior: 2001 c 169 § 1; 2001 c 95 § 2; 2000 c 91 § 2; prior: 1999 sp.s. c 6 § 2; 1999 c 352 § 9; prior: 1998 c 220 § 1; 1998 c 139 § 1; prior: 1997 c 340 § 3; 1997 c 113 § 3; 1996 c 275 § 11; prior: 1995 c 268 § 3; 1995 c 248 § 1; 1995 c 195 § 1; 1994 c 84 § 2; 1991 c 274 § 2; 1990 c 3 § 402.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2006 c 126 § 2, 2006 c 127 § 2, 2006 c 128 § 2, and by 2006 c 129 § 2, each without reference to the other. All amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).
Effective date -- 2006 c 129 § 2: "Section 2 of this act takes effect September 1, 2006." [2006 c 129 § 4.]
Expiration date -- 2006 c 129 § 1: "Section 1 of this act expires September 1, 2006." [2006 c 129 § 3.]
Effective date -- 2006 c 128 § 2: "Section 2 of this act takes effect September 1, 2006." [2006 c 128 § 8.]
Expiration date -- 2006 c 128 § 1: "Section 1 of this act expires September 1, 2006." [2006 c 128 § 7.]
Severability -- 2006 c 127: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [2006 c 127 § 1.]
Effective date -- 2006 c 127: "This act takes effect September 1, 2006." [2006 c 127 § 3.]
Effective date -- 2006 c 126 § 2: "Section 2 of this act takes effect September 1, 2006." [2006 c 126 § 10.]
Expiration date -- 2006 c 126 § 1: "Section 1 of this act expires September 1, 2006." [2006 c 126 § 8.]
Effective date -- 2006 c 126 §§ 1 and 3-7: "Sections 1 and 3 through 7 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect immediately [March 20, 2006]." [2006 c 126 § 9.]
Effective date -- 2005 c 380: "This act takes effect September 1, 2006." [2005 c 380 § 4.]
Intent -- Effective date -- 2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.
Application -- 2002 c 31: "This act applies to all persons convicted of communication with a minor either on, before, or after July 1, 2001, unless otherwise relieved of the duty to register under RCW 9A.44.140." [2002 c 31 § 2.]
Severability -- 2002 c 31: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [2002 c 31 § 3.]
Effective date -- 2002 c 31: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 12, 2002]." [2002 c 31 § 4.]
Effective date -- 2001 c 95: See note following RCW 9.94A.030.
Intent -- 1999 sp.s. c 6: "It is the intent of this act to revise the law on registration of sex and kidnapping offenders in response to the case of State v. Pickett, Docket number 41562-0-I. The legislature intends that all sex and kidnapping offenders whose history requires them to register shall do so regardless of whether the person has a fixed residence. The lack of a residential address is not to be construed to preclude registration as a sex or kidnapping offender. The legislature intends that persons who lack a residential address shall have an affirmative duty to report to the appropriate county sheriff, based on the level of risk of offending." [1999 sp.s. c 6 § 1.]
Effective date -- 1999 sp.s. c 6: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [June 7, 1999]." [1999 sp.s. c 6 § 3.]
Severability -- 1998 c 220: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1998 c 220 § 7.]
Findings -- 1997 c 113: See note following RCW 4.24.550.
Finding -- 1996 c 275: See note following RCW 9.94A.505.
Purpose -- 1995 c 268: See note following RCW 9.94A.030.
Intent -- 1994 c 84: "This act is intended to clarify existing law and is not intended to reflect a substantive change in the law." [1994 c 84 § 1.]
Finding and intent -- 1991 c 274: "The legislature finds that sex offender registration has assisted law enforcement agencies in protecting their communities. This act is intended to clarify and amend the deadlines for sex offenders to register. This act's clarification or amendment of RCW 9A.44.130 does not relieve the obligation of sex offenders to comply with the registration requirements of RCW 9A.44.130 as that statute exists before July 28, 1991." [1991 c 274 § 1.]
Finding -- Policy -- 1990 c 3 § 402: "The legislature finds that sex offenders often pose a high risk of reoffense, and that law enforcement's efforts to protect their communities, conduct investigations, and quickly apprehend offenders who commit sex offenses, are impaired by the lack of information available to law enforcement agencies about convicted sex offenders who live within the law enforcement agency's jurisdiction. Therefore, this state's policy is to assist local law enforcement agencies' efforts to protect their communities by regulating sex offenders by requiring sex offenders to register with local law enforcement agencies as provided in RCW 9A.44.130." [1990 c 3 § 401.]
Index, part headings not law -- Severability -- Effective dates -- Application -- 1990 c 3: See RCW 18.155.900 through 18.155.902.