Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 16, 2003
Contact:  Michael Marchand, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke Signs Sex Offender, E-mail ‘Spam’ Bills

Gov. Gary Locke today signed into law bills to safeguard children on the Internet against sex offenders and unsolicited e-mail. The bills were request legislation from Attorney General Christine Gregoire.

“We must have laws that govern basic consumer protection, including protection while on the Internet,” Locke said. “Both of these bills increase our ability to keep citizens safe and prosecute those who break the law.”

Senate Bill 5570 targets offenders who use the Internet to contact children for sexual purposes. This legislation expands the definition of the existing crime of “communicating with a minor for immoral purposes,” to cover cases where the offender believes the victim is under 18 years old.

This will help undercover law enforcement officers obtain convictions of offenders who use the Internet to prey on children, before they commit an actual sex crime against a child.

Senate Bill 5574 clarifies the state’s current law, giving district courts jurisdiction over cases involving out-of-state senders of unsolicited commercial e-mail, or “spam.”

Although district courts have jurisdiction over cases involving up to $50,000, some judges questioned their authority to order out-of-state defendants to pay damages to citizens bringing “spam” lawsuits. The bill ensures that the courts have jurisdiction to hear such suits.

Both bills passed through the Legislature unanimously.

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