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Governor signs
Pearson's public safety bills
Two public safety measures sponsored by
Rep.
Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, were signed into law today (Tuesday) by
Gov. Christine Gregoire.
One allows officials to keep closer tabs on sex offenders attending
public or private schools. The other requires background checks of state
Parks and Recreation Commission job applicants, volunteers and
contractors. Both bills, said Pearson, are meant for the protection of
children and vulnerable people.
House Bill 2101, prime-sponsored by Pearson, requires a registered sex
offender to notify the county sheriff if he or she is planning to enroll
in a public or private school. The sheriff is then required to notify
the school principal of that person’s intent to attend the school.
Pearson says a series of events is set into motion once the notification
process begins.
"If the sex offender is listed at Level Two or Level Three, which are
the levels most likely to reoffend, the school is required to further
disclose the information to all teachers of that student and also those
who supervise the student, including those who need to know for security
purposes," said Pearson. "If the student is a Level One sex offender,
the principal may only disclose the information to personnel who need to
know for security purposes."
Pearson, ranking Republican on the House Criminal Justice and
Corrections Committee, said the bill was designed to increase protection
of students while minimizing disruption in the school.
"Notification is an important part of our state’s sex offender
registration laws. It allows people to take precautions to ensure public
safety. This bill extends notification into the schools so that teachers
and supervisors may be aware and keep a closer watch for the safety of
our children," noted Pearson.
The governor also signed House Bill 1313, a measure co-sponsored by
Pearson that requires job applicants, volunteers and contractors in the
state Parks and Recreation Commission to undergo background checks.
"There are lots of people employed by state parks in the summer. Many of
them work with children who use our parks for camping and recreation.
Most of these employees are good, honest, hard-working people," said
Pearson. "For their well-being and for the safety of our children, this
legislation will help to prevent sexual predators and other criminal
types from being put into a position of authority in our state parks
where people could be victimized."
Under the bill, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
would be required to adopt rules that require a record check of job
applicants, volunteers and independent contractors who would be working
with children, vulnerable adults, or handle money. The record check
would be conducted through the Washington State Patrol criminal
identification system and through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Permanent employees of the commission who are employed when the bill
takes effect would be exempt from the background check requirements.
"Our goal is to provide policies that will lead to a safer Washington.
These two bills take important steps forward toward better community
protection," concluded Pearson.
House Bill 1313 is set to take effect in July. House Bill 2101 will take
effect Sept. 1, 2006.
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer:
(360) 786-7252
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