Lawmaker pushes new measure to reduce sex offenders released into Pierce County
Feb 4, 2015, 5:31 AM | Updated: 5:32 am
Pierce County officials say a disproportionate number of sex offenders release from the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island end up in Pierce County. (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
When convicted sex offenders are released from the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island, many stay in Pierce County. But a proposed new law being considered by the legislature would change that.
“There’s a disconnect there and a disparity there and this bill is about making sure there’s fairness,” says Rep. Christine Kilduff (D-University Place), author of the Fair Share Act (HB 1668) and a former civil prosecutor.
Under current law, sex offenders can choose where they live after their release. But Kilduff’s proposal would mandate a hearing be held and a judge determine the best place for a sex offender to live, generally the county where they were convicted.
A similar law was enacted by the legislature several years ago for convicted felons released from traditional prisons across the state.
“The judge can also consider things like impact on the victim, which is also something we should be thinking about, as well as community support, treatment available to the offender, so that individual is set up for success upon re-entry and transitioning back into society,” says Kilduff.
A study by The News Tribune found of 41 offenders released between 2012 and 2014, 15 were released in Pierce County although only three lived there before their arrest.
“As the mother of two daughters, I sympathize with families worried about our county being the top destination for so many dangerous predators,” says Kilduff, a former civil prosecutor.
The measure has bipartisan support, with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle co-sponsoring the measure. A similar proposal is being considered in the state Senate. It also has the backing of Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist.
“For too many years, our families, police officers and courts have shouldered an unbalanced burden,” says Lindquist. “It’s time to restore fairness in how dangerous sex offenders are released in Washington state.”
A hearing on the proposal is scheduled for the House Public Safety Committee at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 6.
