Griffey bill to eliminate, extend statute of limitations for multiple sex crimes passes House

Rep. Dan Griffey’s bill to eliminate or extend the statute of limitations for numerous sex offenses cleared the state House today.

House Bill 1231 would end the statute of limitations for sex crimes involving children, including: rape in the first and second degrees if the victim is less than 16 years of age, rape of a child, child molestation, sexual misconduct with a minor in the first degree, custodial sexual misconduct in the first degree, and sexual exploitation of a minor. The bill would also extend the statute of limitations for several other sex crimes.

“Without a doubt, this bill would tremendously benefit sexual assault survivors throughout Washington state,” said Griffey, R-Allyn. “Survivors have waited long enough for action on this issue, and I will not stop fighting until this bill is passed and signed into law. I’m so thankful the House provided overwhelming bipartisan support for my bill, but we’re not out of the woods yet. The battle continues in the Senate, and I hope the bill will receive the same treatment in the Senate that it did today in the House.”

House Bill 1231 is a pared down version of Griffey’s House Bill 1234, which would have removed the statute of limitations for most felony sex offenses. House Bill 1234 did not receive a vote from the House Public Safety Committee, and has been deemed “dead” for the remainder of the legislative session.

While Griffey hopes to have legislation similar to House Bill 1234 be enacted into law eventually, he said House Bill 1231 is a ‘big leap’ in the right direction.

House Bill 1231 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov