Washington Schools Can't Spread Information on Student Sex Crimes

June 14, 2012

Increasingly, sex offenders are being stripped of even the slightest semblance of privacy rights. But, in Washington State, the school remains one of the last bastions of discretion for minors convicted of a sex offense.

Schools Are Not Sheriff's Departments (But Some Would Like To Change That)

Washington law prevents schools from disseminating a student's criminal history to parents, the public or other students. For juvenile sex crimes that result in required registration as a sex offender, school administrators are informed -- but they may only share this information on a need-to-know basis with teachers, counselors or other school staffers.

Juveniles who have been convicted of any sex or kidnapping offense still must register with the county sheriff in the county in which they reside. Juveniles are listed on the county sheriff's sex offender website, and any member of the public who conducts an Internet search can uncover their status as a sex offender -- even so, Washington law prohibits schools from being the purveyors of registration status.

Many advocates applaud the law, saying it should not be up to a school to inform parents or other students about a student's sex offender status. Dan Knoepfler of the Washington Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers recently lauded the measure to KATU News. "Our goal is to keep law enforcement in the [role] of what they do, and the school in the [role] of what they do."

Some Washington lawmakers aren't so sure. A bill was introduced last year to allow schools more flexibility in notifying parents about student sex offenders. After one committee debate, however, the proposed legislation never got another hearing. It was carried over to 2012, but died in committee just before the end of the legislative session.

Republicans in the state House of Representatives have announced plans to reintroduce the measure next year -- but they are likely to again face opposition. In a recent interview with KATU News, Mahna Salter of the Washington Defenders Association said the bill would "further isolate and socially stigmatize a class of children who are already so vulnerable and socially isolated," and that it would "severely damage their hope of rehabilitation."

Prevent Sex Offense Allegations From Impacting Your Child's Future

Mistakes made at a young age can impact and shape a child's life for years to come. Yet, juveniles are uniquely able to change their behavior as they mature. If your child has been accused of a sex crime, don't let it define the adult they will become -- speak to a Washington criminal defense attorney today.

Article provided by Rhodes & Meryhew, LLP
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