Gender and Justice CommissionJanuary 11, 2008Members in Attendance: Justice Barbara A. Madsen, Jeri Costa, Judge Sara Derr, Judge Joan DuBuque, Grace Huang, Judge Cynthia Jordan, Guests: Members Absent: COMMISSION BUSINESS The Gender and Justice Commission Budget Report. The buy-out of the staff person who retired and the increase in benefit costs left the Commission short about $15,000. She also offered Commission members three levels of budget detail they would like to receive at their meeting. Members preferred the overview of the budget status and a “flag” if or when there may be a problem or an appearance of a problem. STOP Grants to the Courts (FFY 05, 06, and 07). FFY 05: Closed. FFY 06: Grant program is supposed to be closed at the end of April. There is a chance it can be extended but this won’t be known until the end of March. Each grant recipient is being contacted to review their expected expenditures so the Commission can consider other possibilities for those funds. FFY 07: there were nine STOP grant applicants, for a total request of $175,940. ACTION: Justice Madsen, Judge DuBuque, Grace Huang, Judge Jordan, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION A Closer Look LeAnne Moss, Executive Director for the Women’s Funding Alliance (WFA), was present. She explained that the WFA is the leading public foundation in the Ms Moss presented some of the findings from a study they conducted titled “A Closer Look: A Landmark Study of Women and Girls in Four Counties in the Puget Sound Region”. Some of those findings were:
She expressed an interest in working with the Gender and Justice Commission in addressing these issues and enhancing the lives of women and girls. Sexual Orientation: Issues for the Courts Mr. Farr also talked about some of the issues that could arise from the same-sex legislation that is being introduced this session such as what happens if a couple is not registered and there is a community property situation and how is intestate succession handled? Commissioners and Mr. Farr talked about challenges facing GLBT youth and for GLBT people who are arrested and need to be housed or transported. PROJECTS/PROGRAMS STATUS REPORTS Human Trafficking Task Force Model Law Report Grace Huang provided an update to Commissioners on the work of the Task Force. She explained that the purpose behind the initial proposal for changing the law was that it was not clear if prostitution would be viewed as labor. The question asked was “Would it be labor if a person was induced through force, fraud, or coercion to perform sex?” She indicated that, at this point, the Human Trafficking Task Force was not moving forward with proposed changes to existing laws. There was no anyone on the Task Force that was invested enough in the idea to proceed. Internet Publication of Information Report Yvonne Pettus reported on the outcome of a conference call with fellow Commissioners Judge Sara Derr, Ms. Grace Huang, Mr. Ms. Pettus reported that the subcommittee proposed the following:
Yvonne noted that During the discussion, it was proposed that all past and present information be removed from the index and that GR 31 be amended or a new court rule be drafted to prohibit publication of domestic violence information on the internet. Making changes to the pattern forms and instructions was not seen as necessary at this time depending on the action taken by the BJA. Justice Madsen reported that this information would be given to the Board for Judicial Administration (BJA) to be used in their work on this subject. There was agreement from members present that the information be removed from the internet. Concealed License Permits (CPL) Report Bernie Ryan reported on his meetings with the Department of Licensing and the Washington State Patrol regarding the process for notifying and revoking concealed pistol licenses. He reported that he was seeking answers to the following questions: 1. How are the data of concealed Pistol licenses stored? Electronically? Hard Copy? 2. Is the Department of Licensing the only place where the data is stored and maintained? 3. Does the Department forward its concealed pistol license data with any other state or local agency? If so, please identify the agency(s). 4. If forwarding occurs, is it done automatically or upon request? Is it done electronically or manually? Please respond to both questions on an agency by agency basis. 5. If the forwarding is done electronically, are there charges associated with the sharing and, if so, how much? Please respond on an agency by agency basis. 6. Does the department automatically receive notice of criminal convictions? Does the Department update its data if a criminal conviction of a license holder is reported to it? 7. Does the Department update its data if a restoration of civil rights of a felon is reported to it? 8. Are there federal or state statutory restrictions on the sharing of information? If so, please cite the statutes and any relevant WAC provisions. 9. Can the data be viewed online by the public? Can the data be obtained by the public? Bernie reported that he first met with the Department of Licensing (DOL) which is the central repository for the CPL’s. He found out that some of the courts can make an inquiry and find out if the person in their court has a CPL. The DOL representative did not know if the information in their system was delineated by type of court. Bernie noted that DOL said they do not revoke licenses, but do forward conviction data to the issuing authority (law enforcement) for revocation. The DOL representative said if the system is working correctly then once the license is revoked, the CPL should be off the system. Bernie also met with the Washington State Patrol (WSP). He learned that WSP offers training for the courts on accessing the system. This training certifies participants. The certification is valid for three years. Bernie pointed at the issue regarding how quickly the revocation becomes effective. He also noted that the current system only works if everyone works together to ensure all the information is entered, updated, and accessed. Bernie suggested that the Commission invite representatives from DOL and the WSP attend the next meeting. ACTION: The Commission agreed to have a DOL/WSP presentation at the next meeting. Victim Conference Report – continued to March meeting Education Programs/Conference a. Annual Conference Proposals. Three proposals will be submitted for consideration by the Annual Conference Committee Planning Committee. They are 1)Sexual Orientation: Issues for the Courts; 2) Implicit Bias; and 3) War and the Courts b. Color of Justice – continued to March meeting NEW BUSINESS Exploration of Research Ideas The Commission has been interested in conducting research that will provide information to them on topics related to gender equity issues. Tom George, AOC Senior Researcher, has offered his expertise to the Commission. Some of the ideas mentioned were domestic violence data for He offered to include questions of interest to the Commission on surveys that he conducts on other topics. Tom pointed out though that he will collect and analyze data but it is the Commission’s role to make policy recommendations based on the information. ACTION: Judge Tompkins, Grace Huang, Jeri Costa, Justice Madsen, and Myra Downing will work with Tom in proposing a research agenda for the Commission. Annual Report Design and Content Discussion Justice Madsen explained that the Commission had the opportunity to review and possibly change the format of their annual report. Dexter Mejia, AOC Graphic Designer and Business Process Analyst, offered his services to the Commission. Dexter explained that annual reports are powerful communication tools and can be used effectively to promote the work of the commission. He explained that he had reviewed past reports and suggested a re-thinking of the themes and messages to make the annual report more robust and effective. He emphasized the importance of being very clear about what the Commission wants the reader to take away after reviewing the report and as importantly, wanting to read it. The report has to be compelling, a call to action. He said that the core components of a typical annual report are:
In order to get the commission members thinking about the contents of the annual report, he asked the following questions:
He pointed out that it seems the Commission wants to entice others to get involved so our narrative and imagery needs to be powerful. Quotes from those served work well in reports. ACTION: Justice Madsen, Judge Riehl, Bernie Ryan, and Myra Downing will work with Dexter Mejia in preparing a report draft for the Commission’s review. DV Summit in Judge Derr reported she and Judge Tompkins have been working with the YWCA and the Consortium in developing the plans for their summit. The goal of their summit is increase knowledge within Spokane Mayor Mary Verner, a survivor, will be their opening speaker. They are planning on using actors for role plays with professionals for educational purposes. They have arranged for students to take notes at the event. The YWCA will pay for a coordinator for the event. Judge Derr and Judge Tompkins said they would be requesting some funding from the Commission. 2008 Presentation Request from the Presiding Judges’ Education Committee - “Issues and Challenges serving Illegal Immigrants in the Court System” - continued to March meeting. Legislation relating to Notification Eligible Offenses and to amend RCW 9.4A.612 and 9.94A614 was distributed. Legislation to provide address confidentiality of victims of trafficking was distributed. The meeting adjourned at
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