RCW 9.94A.830
Legislative finding and intent -- Commitment of felony sexual offenders after July 1, 1987.

The legislature finds that the sexual offender treatment programs at western and eastern state hospitals, while not proven to be totally effective, may be of some benefit in positively affecting the behavior of certain sexual offenders. Given the significance of the problems of sexual assault and sexual abuse of children, it is therefore appropriate to review and revise these treatment efforts.

At the same time, concerns regarding the lack of adequate security at the existing programs must be satisfactorily addressed. In an effort to promote public safety, it is the intent of the legislature to transfer the responsibility for felony sexual offenders from the department of social and health services to the department of corrections.

Therefore, no person committing a felony sexual offense on or after July 1, 1987, may be committed under *RCW 9.94A.505(7)(b) to the department of social and health services at eastern state hospital or western state hospital. Any person committed to the department of social and health services under *RCW 9.94A.505(7)(b) for an offense committed before July 1, 1987, and still in the custody of the department of social and health services on June 30, 1993, shall be transferred to the custody of the department of corrections. Any person eligible for evaluation or treatment under *RCW 9.94A.505(7)(b) shall be committed to the department of corrections.

[1987 c 402 § 2; 1986 c 301 § 1. Formerly RCW 9.94A.123.]

NOTES:

*Reviser's note: This RCW reference has been corrected to reflect the reorganization of chapter 9.94A RCW by 2001 c 10 § 6. RCW 9.94A.505 (formerly RCW 9.94A.120) was amended by 1995 c 108 § 3, which deleted subsection (7)(b).

Effective date -- 1987 c 402: See note following RCW 9.94A.505.