The 2021-2022 Legislative Session saw a lot domestic violence and sexual assault legislation. Over 16 bills from the State House and State Senate were passed and signed into law Governor Inslee that address victims, as well as perpetrators of domestic violence and sexual assault. Below is a list of some of that legislation and links to the bills and bill summaries.

Preventing domestic violence and sexual assaults should be a priority for our community and state. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, but it should be emphasized that sexual assaults unfortunately occur all year long and we must remain vigilant to recognize the signs, prevent the assault, and support recovery for survivors.

Rep. Peter Abbarno, State Representative in the 20th Legislative District.

Sexual Assault Legislation Becoming Law in 2021-2022

• HB 1109
  • Assault, sexual, race/ethnicity impact on case outcomes, case review program to analyze: HB 1109, * ESHB 1109, CH 118 (2021)
  • Assault, sexual, sexual assault protection orders, moving to a single civil protection orders chapter: HB 1320, SB 5297, SHB 1320, * E2SHB 1320, CH 215 (2021)
  • Assault, sexual, survivors of, rights of and case status updates for: HB 1109, * ESHB 1109, CH 118 (2021)
• HB 1227
  • Abuse/exploitation, removal of child from parent and placement of child: SHB 1227, * E2SHB 1227, CH 211 (2021)
• HB 1593
  • Assault, sexual, victims of, terminating tenancy, landlord mitigation program role: HB 1593, * SHB 1593, CH 196 (2022)
• HB 1622
  • Assault, sexual, nurse examiner leaders, regional, pilot program, establishing: * HB 1622, CH 118 (2022)
• HB 1748
  • Trafficking, sex, victims of, aged, blind, or disabled program eligibility for: * HB 1748, CH 208 (2022)
• HB 1795
  • Assault, sexual, by employer, nondisclosure/nondisparagement agreements, void and unenforceable: HB 1795, * ESHB 1795, CH 133 (2022)
• SB 5163
  • Sexually violent offenders, in special commitment center, state ID card for: SB 5163, SSB 5163, * E2SSB 5163, CH 236 (2021)
  • Sexually violent predators, conditional release and transition facilities development, studying: SB 5163, SSB 5163, * E2SSB 5163, CH 236 (2021)
  • Sexually violent predators, conditional release of, to less restrictive alternative: SB 5163, SSB 5163, * E2SSB 5163, CH 236 (2021)
• SB 5177
  • Indecent liberties, proof of nonmarriage as element in, eliminating: * SB 5177, CH 142 (2021)
  • Misconduct, sexual, with minor, proof of nonmarriage as element in, eliminating: * SB 5177, CH 142 (2021)
• SB 5180
  • Assault, sexual, victims of, vacation of conviction records of, applying for, when: SB 5180, * ESSB 5180, CH 237 (2021)
  • Commercial sexual abuse of minor, victims of, vacation of conviction records of, applying for, when: SB 5180, * ESSB 5180, CH 237 (2021)
  • Offenders, victims of sex offenses/domestic violence, vacation of conviction records of, applying for, when: SB 5180, * ESSB 5180, CH 237 (2021)
• SB 5183
  • Assault, sexual, nonfatal strangulation victims, forensic nurse examiners for: SB 5183, SSB 5183, * 2SSB 5183, CH 269 (2021)

Representative Peter Abbarno (R-Centralia) is an attorney with the Centralia based law firm Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP; former president of the Lewis County Bar Association; former president of the Lewis County Bar Legal Aid; member of the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee; and appointed member of the Office of Civil Legal Aid Legislative Oversight Committee.

The past two years has seen some good legislation that supports victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, but also legislation that has lessened penalties, expanded release into the community of sexually violent predators, as well as lowered and eliminated court fees, costs, and victim penalty assessments for all criminals, including those that commit domestic violence and sexual assault. Our state must continue to put victims first, not criminals.

Rep. Peter Abbarno, 20th Legislative District (R-Centralia)

Domestic Violence Legislation Becoming Law in 2021-2022

• HB 1192
  • Abusive litigation, chapter on, correcting incorrect RCW citation in: * EHB 1192, CH 65 (2021)
• HB 1315
  • Workplace resources, domestic violence and, task force on, convening: * HB 1315, CH 43 (2021)
• HB 1320
  • Protection orders, domestic violence, moving to a single civil protection orders chapter: HB 1320, SB 5297, SHB 1320, * E2SHB 1320, CH 215 (2021)
• HB 1593
  • Victim, terminating tenancy, landlord mitigation program role: HB 1593, * SHB 1593, CH 196 (2022)
• SB 5180
  • Victims, vacation of conviction records of, applying for, when: SB 5180, HB 1293, * ESSB 5180, CH 237 (2021)
• SB 5183
  • Strangulation, nonfatal, forensic nurse examiners for victims of: SB 5183, SSB 5183, * 2SSB 5183, CH 269 (2021)
• SB 5245
  • Offenders, release/escape/etc. of, victim notification: SB 5245, * ESSB 5245, CH 82 (2022)
• SB 5612
  • Victims and survivors of victims, statement during conviction sentencing by: * SB 5612, CH 229 (2022)

I am very proud to support Hope Alliance of Lewis County and encourage our community to attend the many events that will occur over the Month of April. They are an integral part to victim recovery and sexual assault prevention.

Rep. Peter Abbarno, 20th Legislative District (R-Centralia)