Finding—2017 c 272: "(1) The legislature finds that Washington state has a serious problem with domestic violence offender recidivism and lethality. The Washington state institute for public policy studied domestic violence offenders finding not just high rates of domestic violence recidivism but among the highest rates of general criminal and violent recidivism. The Washington state coalition against domestic violence has issued fatality reviews of domestic violence homicides in Washington under chapter
43.235 RCW for over fifteen years. These fatality reviews demonstrate the significant impact of domestic violence on our communities as well as the barriers and high rates of lethality faced by victims. The legislature further notes there have been several high profile domestic violence homicides with multiple prior domestic violence incidents not accounted for in the legal response. Many jurisdictions nationally have encountered the same challenges as Washington and now utilize risk assessment as a best practice to assist in the response to domestic violence.
The Washington domestic violence risk assessment work group is established to study how and when risk assessment can best be used to improve the response to domestic violence offenders and victims and find effective strategies to reduce domestic violence homicides, serious injuries, and recidivism that are a result of domestic violence incidents in Washington state.
(2)(a) The Washington state gender and justice commission, in collaboration with the Washington state coalition against domestic violence and the Washington State University criminal justice program, shall coordinate the work group and provide staff support.
(b) The work group must include a representative from each of the following organizations:
(i) The Washington state gender and justice commission;
(ii) The department of corrections;
(iii) The department of social and health services;
(iv) The Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs;
(v) The superior court judges' association;
(vi) The district and municipal court judges' association;
(vii) The Washington state association of counties;
(viii) The Washington association of prosecuting attorneys;
(ix) The Washington defender association;
(x) The Washington association of criminal defense lawyers;
(xi) The Washington state association of cities;
(xii) The Washington state coalition against domestic violence;
(xiii) The Washington state office of civil legal aid; and
(xiv) The family law section of the Washington state bar association.
(c) The work group must additionally include representation from:
(i) Treatment providers;
(ii) City law enforcement;
(iii) County law enforcement;
(iv) Court administrators; and
(v) Domestic violence victims or family members of a victim.
(3) At a minimum, the work group shall research, review, and make recommendations on the following:
(a) How to best develop and use risk assessment in domestic violence response utilizing available research and Washington state data;
(b) Providing effective strategies for incorporating risk assessment in domestic violence response to reduce deaths, serious injuries, and recidivism due to domestic violence;
(c) Promoting access to domestic violence risk assessment for advocates, police, prosecutors, corrections, and courts to improve domestic violence response;
(d) Whether or how risk assessment could be used as an alternative to mandatory arrest in domestic violence;
(e) Whether or how risk assessment could be used in bail determinations in domestic violence cases, and in civil protection order hearings;
(f) Whether or how offender risk, needs, and responsivity could be used in determining eligibility for diversion, sentencing alternatives, and treatment options;
(g) Whether or how victim risk, needs, and responsivity could be used in improving domestic violence response;
(h) Whether or how risk assessment can improve prosecution and encourage prosecutors to aggressively enforce domestic violence laws; and
(i) Encouraging private sector collaboration.
(4) The work group shall compile its findings and recommendations into a final report and provide its report to the appropriate committees of the legislature and governor by June 30, 2018.
(5) The work group must operate within existing funds.
