Governor signs into law Carrell's bill restricting computer access
Posted on March 28, 2010
Gov. Christine Gregoire signs Senate Bill 6308 as Sen. Mike Carrell (left), SCC Superintendent Kelly Cunningham (right) and staff observe.
Gov. Christine Gregoire signed Senate Bill 6308 into law today, effectively hampering the ability of committed sex predators to view child pornography in the state Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island. Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood, and sponsor of the bill, was accompanied by SCC Superintendent Kelly Cunningham at today's bill signing.
"I'm pleased that the governor saw fit to approve my bill in its entirety," Carrell said. "While this bill isn't perfect, I do think it will serve us well going forward. I'm absolutely committed to making sure the residents of the SCC will no longer have access to child pornography through their computers, and I will continue to work with Kelly on any problems that may surface."
SB 6308 requires the Department of Social and Health Services, which operates the SCC, to deny a resident use of a personal computer if his or her treatment plan states that computer access is harmful to that individual’s program. In such a case, a sexually violent predator may still access a word processing device with limited functionality and no graphical capabilities.
“Because these individuals are civilly – albeit involuntarily – committed, the state doesn’t have the right to simply confiscate their personal property,” Carrell said. “But we had to do something to stop the spreading victimization of children going on at the SCC, a growing trend among the committed individuals. My bill is a great first step toward that goal.”
Carrell also mentioned 16 residents of the SCC are facing federal indictments for crimes related to possession of child pornography, a fact made public by Cunningham during committee testimony in favor of Carrell’s bill during the regular 2010 legislative session.
“I’m very pleased to see this bill signed by the governor today,” Cunningham said. “I anticipate that once the bill becomes law it will help us create the accountability around computer use that we so desperately need at the Special Commitment Center.”
SB 6308 was unanimously approved by the Senate Feb. 16. The House approved it 97-1 on Mar. 5. The law will take effect 90 days from today.
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