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State lawmakers set news
conference to discuss urgent action on sex offender laws
Event is Monday, 1 p.m., at Celebration Park in
Federal Way
House
Republicans are holding a news conference Monday at 1 p.m. at
Celebration Park in Federal Way to recommend a special legislative
session to address deficiencies in the state’s sex offender laws. They
will discuss ideas for legislation with citizens at an interactive
public safety forum at Federal Way’s City Hall at 6 p.m.
The public safety forum
will be hosted by
State Rep. Skip Priest, R-Federal Way, and include other state
officials, criminal justice experts, and concerned citizens.
“Our state has some
effective sex offender laws on the books – but others are
outdated and incapable of properly protecting the public. Our goal is to
identify weak laws, discuss them with the public, and collectively
propose solutions,” said Priest. “There are thirteen known registered
sex offenders living within five miles of where the news conference will
be held – which is a public park. In King County, there are more than 400 sex
offenders with no known address. This problem is everywhere and the time
to act is now – not later. The forum will help all of us gauge where
the public stands and take action accordingly.”
House Republicans are
calling for
a special legislative session during already-scheduled
Interim Assembly Days in the Washington State Legislature, Sept. 27
and 28.
“It’s clear that certain
sex offenders are falling though the cracks of our system and the public
wants answers and solutions – not excuses. People are demanding action
now – and they deserve nothing less. That’s why we are creating a
legislative package that we think the public will support,” said
House Republican Leader Richard DeBolt. “Public safety is an
immediate and vital responsibility of state government. We hope
Democrats will not only be receptive to our ideas, but also put forth
some reforms of their own. We look forward to that process.”
The public and media are
invited to both the news conference and public safety forum. Both events
will take place in close proximity with the link below providing a map
to the locations.
http://www.cityoffederalway.com/folders/home/businesseconomicdevelopment/citymaps/directionstocityfacilities/CH_dir.pdf
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For more information, please contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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