Gov. Gregoire signs Good Samaritan Law, approves Sunday liquor sales and signs bill promoting Native American studies

For Immediate Release: April 28, 2005

OLYMPIA � April 28, 2005 � Gov. Christine Gregoire today signed thirty-five bills into law including the �Good Samaritan Law� which makes it a misdemeanor offense to fail to assist a person who has suffered substantial bodily harm, provided that the person could reasonably summon assistance without danger to himself or herself.

Three of the families that campaigned for Substitute House Bill 1236 joined the Governor in her office as she signed the bill. All three families lost a child to a violent crime while onlookers failed to call for help.

�Out of these unbelievable tragedies, today we find hope that no other family may suffer such a terrible loss,� said Governor Gregoire. �We must each be our brother�s keeper.�

Four other states have enacted duty-to-rescue statutes: Vermont, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Duties-to-rescue statutes also exist in 13 European countries. The punishment for a misdemeanor offense is a maximum of 90 days in jail, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The governor also signed Substitute House Bill 1379, which directs the Liquor Control Board to implement Sunday sales in at least 20 liquor stores by September 1, 2005. State liquor stores generate over $612 million a year in sales. State and local governments receive revenue from liquor store profits and liquor taxes. In fiscal year 2004, the Board contributed $250 million to state and local governments.

Before determining which state liquor stores will open on Sunday and before permitting contract liquor stores to open on Sunday, the Board must give consideration to the location of the stores with respect to the proximity of places of worship, schools, and public institutions. The Board also must give notice to places of worship, schools, and public institutions within 500 feet of such stores. Employees at liquor stores, including contract stores, may not be required to work on their Sabbath for the purpose of selling liquor, if doing so would violate their religious beliefs.

Earlier in the day the governor attended the Association of Washington Tribes meeting with 20 tribal leaders and signed Substitute House Bill 1495, which requires information about tribal history, culture, and government be included in the half-credit Washington State history course required for high school graduation. School districts are encouraged, but not required, to include this information in other history and social studies courses.

�It is critical that Native American students and their non-native classmates understand one another so that coming generations can continue to build strong relationships between our communities,� said Governor Gregoire.

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