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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I’m reaching out today because of an urgent request to make your voice heard. People who commit vehicular homicide should not get off without a penalty!
Earlier this session, I introduced House Bill 1101, which would ensure that all forms of vehicular homicide are included in the definitions of both “violent offense” and “most serious offense,” consistent with their designation as class A felonies.
Currently, based on the court’s interpretation, vehicular homicide is eligible for a first-time offender waiver, but it should not be. By reclassifying this offense, the first-time offender waiver would be disallowed for this crime.
Vehicular homicide with disregard for the safety of others is a conviction that involves gross criminal negligence. Ten people have received a first-time offender waiver in the last three years. We should not grant such a waiver for this fatal crime. We should sanction what we hope to prevent. The House Community Safety Committee unanimously passed this bill on Jan. 30.
However, it is still waiting for further consideration in the House Appropriations Committee. This bill is an important step in our efforts to increase public safety and hold offenders accountable. Unfortunately, it will not have a chance to become law unless it first gets voted out of Appropriations.
That’s why I’m calling on you to be the force that keeps this bill moving forward. There is only a week left to get this bill heard and approved by the Appropriations Committee. Next Friday, Feb. 28, is the cutoff day for fiscal committees to pass legislation. That means all bills must be passed out by Friday, or they will be dead for this session.
I urge you to reach out to every member of the committee and let them know that people who commit vehicular homicide should be penalized. We need to keep this critical legislation moving forward.
You can contact committee members by visiting the Appropriations webpage and clicking on the “Members and Staff” link near the top of the page. Call the number listed to contact their office or email them. All addresses follow this format: cyndy.jacobsen@leg.wa.gov.
Please make your voice heard and share your concern for all Washingtonians by reaching out to committee members to express your support for House Bill 1101.
Thank you for your time and support. I’m truly honored to serve you.
Sincerely,
Cyndy Jacobsen
