Legislative Update

The Washington State 2010 legislative session began January 11.  Listed below are proposed bills that Dan and other PAO DPAs have testified in favor of:

Psychiatric Safety Review Board:  SB 6549:   Dan Satterberg testified in support of this proposed bill.  Under this proposal, defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity would be placed under the jurisdiction of a newly-created Psychiatric Security Review Board.  This Board would have the authority to make specific findings and recommendations to the Court regarding the defendant's discharge or release from a state psychiatric hospital and the conditions of any such discharge or release.

Guilty and Mentally Ill:  HB 2887:  Dan Satterberg testified in support of this proposed bill, which would allow judges or jurors the option of finding a defendant who offers an insanity defense at trial "guilty and mentally ill" under certain circumstances.   This option does not exist under current Washington law.

Prosecution of Child Pornography:  SB 6201:  The PAO testified in support of this bill, which revises current law for purposes of determining the unit of prosecution for possession and trading of child pornography.  This bill would make possession or trading of each individual depiction a separate unit of prosecution.

Pharmacy Robberies:  SB 6498:  In 2008, Washington State ranked 7th in the nation in reported pharmacy robberies.  Pharmacists and law enforcement agree that the cause for this disturbing trend is the growing demand on the street for prescription drugs, like OxyContin.  The PAO testified in support of this bill, which would elevate pharmacy robberies from second degree robberies to first degree robberies.

Juvenile Gun Crimes:  HB 2535 stalled in committee.   This bill would have addressed the serious issue of firearm possession by juveniles by increasing the seriousness levels and sanctions for certain juvenile gun crimes.  Prosecutors will be back next session to again ask for adequate sentences for juveniles caught possessing guns illegally.

Domestic Violence:  HB 2427:  The PAO testified in support of this bill, which amends sentencing provisions for domestic violence crimes.

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