Washington Bill Aims To Clarify Sex Offender Restrictions At Community Colleges

BY DEREK WANG, KUOW

Community colleges in Washington should be able to bar level three sex offenders from enrolling in classes when minors are present. That’s the upshot of a bill under consideration by the state legislature.

Republican Representative Joyce McDonald introduced the legislation. She said she decided to propose the bill after being contacted by a constituent who had concerns about a community college.

“There was a level three sex offender on the campus who had been prohibited from having any form of contact with minor females,” McDonald said. “And yet the college had allowed him to enroll in classes and pretty much have unrestricted access to the community college.”

McDonald declined to name the community college.

She said the state community college board already said that community colleges have the authority to ban level three sex offenders who are considered to be a high risk to re-offend. But McDonald said not all administrators understand, and that her bill would clarify their specific authority.

It’s not clear if the legislation will make it to a full floor vote.

Copyright 2018 KUOW