Legislators campaign against sex offender housing

Matt Baide | Feb 23, 20230

Legislation by Mason County legislators to restrict sex offender housing failed to pass out of committee Friday, the final day for policy bills to advance.

According to a news release, Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn, and seatmate Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, introduced House Bill 1813, which would only allow the Department of Social and Health Services to house sex offenders in facilities on McNeil Island or a facility in South Seattle. The bill would also restrict the state from using any new facilities.

The bills are in response to a Tenino residential home run by a private company to house sex offenders. The first occupant was scheduled to arrive Feb. 1, but Thurston County officials were able to delay the plan by citing the facility’s lack of water permits.

“This is a dangerous practice that leaves children and families at risk. Families — and law enforcement — are only finding out about these placements at the last minute with virtually no chance to have a say. The existing policy is unworkable,” Griffey said in a news release. “It is time the state of Washington prioritizes the public’s safety.”

Couture is sponsoring House Bill 1734, according to the release, which would close the public notice loophole in the process of placing sex offenders into less restrictive alternative housing.

“This would immediately end this dangerous, misguided plan to house sex predators in reach of schools, parks, and recreational areas,” Couture said in a news release. “This bill would force our state government to do its fundamental job of protecting innocent people from high-risk sex offenders and give us time to develop a reasonable, long-term plan.”

Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, is sponsoring Senate Bill 5544, which is a companion bill that would close the public notice loophole.

“We need an immediate moratorium on LRA homes until the Legislature can come up with a comprehensive long-term plan that protects our communities from these violent sexual predators,” MacEwen said in a news release.

Couture said in the release that Gov. Jay Inslee and his staff have expressed interest in assisting with the issue, but the governor and his staff did not weigh in prior to committee cutoff.

The two local representatives stated that even though they did not get a committee vote in time, they plan to keep pushing the issue and legislation and encourage anyone who wants to see the law changed.

“I have spent my time in the Legislature fighting for survivors of sexual assault, including my own family,” Griffey said in a news release. “The fact that this is the policy we have on the books in Washington state in 2023 is an embarrassment and a threat to all families regardless of what your politics are.”

Salisbury honored

Couture introduced House Resolution 4612, introduced and adopted Feb. 3, honoring former Mason County Sheriff Casey Salisbury.

The resolution addressed Salisbury’s tenure at the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and the Mason County Sheriff’s Office and his time as a substitute teacher.

“Sheriff Salisbury always brought his love of people and zeal for teaching to every position he held, dedicating himself to service, reflecting credit upon himself, the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, and all of law enforcement,” the resolution reads. “His efforts ensured that children, adults, residents, and visitors to Mason County were cared for with excellence.”

That was the last bill or resolution put forth by Couture as a primary sponsor. He was the primary sponsor on seven bills or resolutions, including House Bill 1274, which creates a child malnutrition field guide for the state Department of Children, Youth and Families, which passed out of committee Feb. 15.

Private law enforcement work

Griffey had House Bill 1369 unanimously approved out of the House Community Safety, Justice and Reentry Committee on Feb. 13.

According to a news release, the bill allows state Department of Fish and Wildlife officers to work private law enforcement jobs, similar to what Washington State Patrol troopers can do. It encourages its officers to work off-duty law enforcement jobs and directs the agency to create policy guidelines.

“As Washington deals with a shortage of law enforcement officers, it is important that those state-trained officers are protecting the public,” Griffey said in a news release. “WSP and WDFW are the only law enforcement agencies in the state with general authority and statewide jurisdiction. This bill will make sure our fully trained Fish and Wildlife officers have the same opportunities as troopers to work private law enforcement jobs at concerts, professional sporting events, and other large events, venues and worksites across the state.”

WDFW Lieutenant Erik Olson testified for the bill.

“Without a certain number of uniformed officers, the NFL will not allow a game to be played. The primary mission of the off-duty officer is to work the games to preserve life, deter terrorism, and to enforce Washington state law,” Olson said in a news release. “To put it succinctly, off-duty law enforcement employment helps ensure the safety of the public.”

Griffey was the primary sponsor on seven bills this session. He was the primary sponsor on House Bill 1705, which concerns stormwater control facilities and county jurisdiction, which passed out of the House Committee on Local Government on Feb. 17. He was a primary sponsor on House Bill 1766, which creates a hope card program, passed out of the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee on Feb. 17. The House Appropriations Committee hosted a public hearing on the HB 1766 on Wednesday.