Representative Fagan’s bill to toughen sexually violent predator treatment policies gets hearing

 Representative Fagan's bill to toughen sexually violent predator treatment policies gets hearing

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, members of the House Public Safety Committee heard testimony for a bill that would modify evaluation and treatment policies for sexually violent predators. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Susan Fagan, R-Pullman.

"Working on this legislation for the past two years has been eye-opening," said Fagan. "The victims, and their families, are forever living with the memories of their abuse. This legislation can't take back the tragedy and pain they have endured, but I'm committed to finding a solution that reduces the risk of a sexually violent predator being released into the community and reoffending."

The bill, House Bill 1059, requires evidence from an expert on a committed person's behalf to be excluded if that committed person declines to participate in their annual review. It also redefines the treatment required and makes it specific to sex offenders.

Sharon Clizer of Clarkston, the mother of a victim of a sexually violent predator, testified in favor of the bill on Tuesday, saying "only an animal" would do the things her daughter's abuser did to her.

Fagan ran a similar bill during the 2014 session. While it advanced in the House Public Safety Committee, it stalled in the Appropriations Committee.

The bill has been scheduled for an executive session later this week.

The legislative session is scheduled to adjourn April 26.

For more information about Rep. Fagan, visit: www.representativesusanfagan.com.

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