In 2023 Washington State legislators and senators passed HB 1394 to address the length of time a juvenile is required to register as a sex offender or kidnap offender. This new law was signed by Governor Inslee taking effect on November 1, 2023.
In the State of Washington Adult and Juvenile Sex Offenders and Kidnapping Offenders are required to register within three (3) days with the Sheriff’s Office, in the County they will be living in after being released from confinement.
Level 1-Sex / Kidnap offender is considered low risk of reoffending in the community.
Level 2 Sex /Kidnap offender is considered a moderate risk of reoffending in the community.
Level 3 Sex / Kidnap offender is considered a high risk of reoffending in the community.
The new law HB 1394, Juvenile level 2 and level 3 sex / kidnap offenders will only have to register with the Sheriff’s Office for two (2) to three (3) years after being released from confinement. Within my 54-year law enforcement career, I have encountered numerous violent juvenile sex offenders. It is my opinion that the release of these juvenile offenders is a viable and real safety concern for the community. Once the offender is no longer required to register with law enforcement due to HB 1394, the children and adults will be at risk of being victimized by these offenders.
When offenders are not required to register, the Sheriff’s Office will have no idea where these offenders are living or working within our county. Currently, Klickitat County has 85 sex offenders registering with the Sheriff’s Office. Of this population, there are ten (10) offenders that qualify under 1394 for release into the community. These ten (10) span all three levels of sex offenders which include one (1) Level 3 offender, five (5) Level 2 offenders, and four (4) Level 1 offenders. The current Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders list can be located at the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office website https://www.klickitatcounty.org/883/Registered-Sex-Offender-Information.
Juveniles convicted of sex or kidnap offenses outside the State of Washington, or under Tribal or Federal jurisdictions that move into our county must continue to register. The new law HB 1394 does not apply to those offenders.
If you disagree with this new law. Please call or email the Washington State Legislators and Senators who voted for HB 1394, even if they are not from our legislative district. It is imperative to let them know your safety concerns about the risk they have subjected the children and adults in our community.
I am proud to let you know, our District 14 Legislators Gina Mosbrucker, Chris Cory and Senator Curtis King, DID NOT VOTE FOR HB 1394.